Harare – Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has issued a stern warning, vowing to take decisive action against senior officers implicated in the controversial practice of “assigning targets” to junior officers manning roadblocks across the country. This directive comes amid mounting public concern and persistent reports that some police commanders are setting daily revenue targets of US$300 for traffic officers, a practice that has led to the harassment of motorists and allegations of corruption.
The alleged target system has been a long-standing source of friction between the police and the public, with motorists frequently complaining of being unfairly targeted for minor offences and subjected to lengthy detentions if they fail to pay spot fines. The pressure to meet these targets, junior officers claim, has created an environment where corruption flourishes, and the line between legitimate law enforcement and extortion becomes increasingly blurred.
According to junior police officers who spoke to NewsDay, the pressure to meet these targets has resulted in increased police checkpoints along the country’s highways. They also alleged that they were allocated two receipt books – one for acquitting funds at district clerk’s offices and the other for the magistrates’ courts.
“The issue of daily targets has been reintroduced,” one officer revealed, highlighting the renewed stress and pressure they face. “It’s very stressful to work with targets. So to meet those targets we become extremely strict at roadblocks such that motorists are forced to pay for minor offences, for which we would caution them under normal circumstance.”
The officers further claimed that the pressure to meet the US dollar targets has led to the rejection of payments in the local currency. “We only take fines in US$ at roadblocks to meet the daily targets,” one officer stated, further fuelling allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
While the Commissioner-General has vowed to crack down on the practice of setting targets, the ZRP has maintained that it operates a legitimate police fund with government approval. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi refuted the allegations of corruption and abuse, emphasising that the ZRP has been granted Treasury authority to establish the fund.
According to Nyathi, the police fund operates “with clear modalities, checks and balances,” and is strictly monitored by Treasury, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, and the Auditor-General’s office. He vehemently denied that money collected at roadblocks is channelled to individual officers, such as chief superintendents, as alleged by junior cops. He insisted that revenue from fines is deposited with the courts as required by law.
Nyathi reiterated Mutamba’s instruction to commanders, emphasising that setting targets for police officers is strictly prohibited and that any officers found engaging in this practice without approval will face disciplinary action.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has been given authority by the government to have a police fund which has clear modalities, checks and balances and procedures for expenditure in place,” Nyathi stated.
“The fund is strictly monitored by Treasury, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Auditor-General’s office. No money, whether in ZiG, US$ or another form of currency, is taken to a particular chief superintendent. Allegations that police officers are given targets through roadblock collections are, again, not correct.”
Nyathi also outlined the purpose of the police fund, stating that it is primarily used for the acquisition of essential resources to support police operations. “This is mainly for acquisition of the necessary tools of trade which include uniforms, fuel, stationery, servicing of vehicles and training to capacitate officers, among other relevant requirements,” he explained.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Nyathi said a committee has been established to monitor the utilisation of funds under the police fund. “Any fine collection by the Zimbabwe Republic Police is being done through the relevant Treasury concurrence,” he said. “This involves all the procedures and systems for accountability and banking. The commissioner-general of police has put in place a management committee to co-ordinate, monitor and recommend the utilisation process for funds allocated to the police fund.”
Despite these assurances, concerns persist about the potential for abuse and the impact of the target system on the relationship between the police and the public. Critics argue that the pressure to meet revenue targets inevitably leads to the harassment of motorists, the enforcement of minor offences, and a general erosion of trust in law enforcement.
The Commissioner-General’s vow to take action against senior officers who are setting targets is a welcome step, but it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to address the underlying issues. For the public to regain confidence in the police, there needs to be a fundamental shift in culture and a renewed commitment to serving the community with integrity and fairness.
The issue of “targets” is not new, and its reintroduction has caused considerable distress among junior officers. One officer said that the targets have led to strict enforcement and prolonged detention of motorists, even for minor offences that would normally require cautioning.
The debate surrounding the police fund and the target system highlights the complex challenges facing the ZRP as it strives to maintain law and order in a challenging economic environment. The need for adequate resources is undeniable, but it is equally important to ensure that these resources are obtained and utilised in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and consistent with the principles of justice and fairness.
The public will be watching closely to see whether Commissioner-General Mutamba’s vow to crack down on the target system will translate into meaningful change on the ground.