Fights erupt at Harare Traffic as 8 officers are n...

Fights erupt at Harare Traffic as 8 officers are nabbed for extorting motorists

Philemon Jambaya

Harare City Council is embroiled in controversy following the suspension of eight municipal police officers accused of extorting money from motorists. The suspensions have exposed deeper tensions within the local authority, with allegations of “serious fights” between factions vying for control of traffic enforcement duties.

The suspended officers claim they are being unfairly targeted as part of a larger scheme by some senior managers to push for the transfer of traffic police duties to City Parking, a private company wholly owned by HCC.

“There are some serious fights because there is a bid to tarnish the image of traffic police officers by some senior managers so that the duties can be given to City Parking,” one suspended officer alleged.

“Some of our duties have been taken up by City Parking and we have been reduced to robot (traffic lights) traffic officers.

HCC’s head of communications, Stanley Gama, remained tight-lipped about the specific allegations, but acknowledged the need for cooperation between municipal police and City Parking.

“City Parking is a private company owned by council, but with the council traffic police they are supposed to complement each other,” Gama said.

“I don’t know where the fights are. If ever there are serious fights, this should come to the attention of our managers.”

Mayor Jacob Mafume declined to directly address the allegations, stating he was not involved in the initial decisions. “I cannot dispute the allegations, but I was not involved when all this happened,” Mafume said.

The recent appointment of former police commissioner Obeylaw Moyo as HCC’s new executive manager has further stirred the pot. Moyo’s background in law enforcement raises questions about his potential role in any reshuffling of traffic enforcement duties.

The current situation leaves the future of Harare’s municipal police force uncertain. The suspension of officers, coupled with allegations of internal power struggles and potential job shifts, creates an atmosphere of unease and raises concerns about transparency and accountability within HCC.