The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter
A MAJOR shake-up is looming at Mutare’s Criminal Investigation Department’s Minerals, Fauna and Flora Unit as the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu) casts its net wide to bring to book all those implicated in corruption cases involving illegal gold and diamond dealers.
According to sources, the country has been losing millions of dollars through the dealers who have been enjoying police protection.
CID director, Commissioner Chrispen Charumbira, was arrested last month over the corruption case and last week; the Officer Commanding the Minerals Unit in Manicaland Province, Superintendent Alwis Chidziva, was also arrested for allegedly blocking ongoing investigations on Charumbira’s case.
On Wednesday, ten detectives from Mutare were summoned to Harare to get their statements recorded over the issue.
The Manica Post understands that the ten are suspects in the corrupt cases.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the developments in Mutare.
He said Superintendent Chidziva has since been arraigned before a Harare regional magistrate, Mrs Bianca Makwande, to answer to the charges.
“We do not condone corruption within the police force and anyone implicated in any wrong doing will be prosecuted accordingly. Chidziva was arrested and brought before the courts and as the police, we will also institute our own disciplinary hearings on the matter,” he said.
However, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi could not comment on the involvement of the ten police officers.
“I will give you more information as soon as I get it,” he said.
Superintendent Chidziva stands accused of interfering with the probe on Commissioner Charumbira’s case.
When the Superintendent appeared before Mrs Makwande, he was not asked to plead to the charges of obstructing ongoing investigations.
Superintendent Chidziva is accused of intimidating and reprimanding his subordinate, Detective Constable Tamirirashe Mushenjere, after he availed evidence on the suspended CID director’s case.
It is said on September 25, Detective Constable Mushenjere was asked to bring CID Mutare’s station exhibit book to the Police General Headquarters in Harare.
The book contains evidence that is being used in Commissioner Charumbira’s case, including records of how the CID boss allegedly instructed junior officers who had arrested one Mr David Mucheche for illegally possessing 2kg of gold to release him and the gold.
Upon Detective Constable Mushenjere’s return to Mutare, Superintendent Chidziva is said to have accused him of letting out the Mutare Unit’s secrets.
A source who requested anonymity citing protocol said all corrupt elements will be sweeped out of the Minerals Unit.
“A lot of dirty things were happening in that unit and our superiors want to get to the bottom of it all. It was a racket and all those involved will be charged accordingly. Almost the entire Minerals Unit in Mutare has been summoned to Harare and we are awaiting for the outcome of the ongoing investigations, but heads will roll soon,” said the source.
