THE ‘NO TRANSPORT’ SCAM: Why ZRP Officers Are Refusing To Attend Crime Scenes And How To Fight Back
HARARE – It has become the standard, weary refrain for any Zimbabwean who has had the misfortune of visiting a police station in recent months. Whether you have been the victim of a violent home invasion, a smash-and-grab at a traffic light, or a simple case of petty theft, the response from the officer behind the desk is almost always the same: “We have no fuel,” or “We have no vehicle.”
This script, delivered with a rehearsed nonchalance, has left thousands of citizens stranded in their hour of greatest need. It is a breakdown of the social contract so profound that it has left entire communities vulnerable to a rising tide of crime. Yet, as our investigation reveals, the “no transport” excuse is often less about a lack of resources and more about a sinister culture of extortion that has taken root within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
The Hidden Detail: A Culture of Extortion
While the official line from the ZRP national command is that every station is equipped to handle emergencies, the reality on the ground tells a much darker story. Our investigation has uncovered what many citizens have long suspected: a “hidden detail” where transport is only available for those willing to pay a “bribe-fee” or provide their own fuel.
In many cases, victims are told that if they want the police to attend a scene, they must either drive the officers themselves or pay for a private taxi to ferry them. For those who cannot afford this, the police simply do not come. One victim, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, recounted her ordeal after an armed robbery in Mandara.
“The ‘Officer’ told me that they had no transport. Ok. NO PEN, NO CARBON PAPER now NO TRANSPORT. As I needed their service more, I had to pay for a taxi for three officers. When we got to my house, they didn’t even have a torch to look for tracks. I had to provide that too.”
This is not an isolated incident. Across Harare, Bulawayo, and smaller towns like Marondera, the story is the same. The police service, funded by the taxpayer, has effectively been privatised, with justice only available to those who can pay for the fuel to reach it.
The Logistics of Neglect: Where is the Money?
The most galling aspect of this crisis is the apparent disconnect between the ZRP’s budget and its operational capacity. Year after year, millions of dollars are allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage for “fleet maintenance” and “logistics.”
In the 2024 National Budget, the Ministry of Home Affairs requested a staggering ZWL$2 trillion (in the currency of the time), with a significant portion earmarked for the procurement and maintenance of vehicles. The Treasury, in its presentation, noted that billions were being funnelled into the security sector to ensure “peace and stability.” Furthermore, the government recently introduced a statutory reserve levy on fuel, calculated at US$0.05 per litre, intended to fund various infrastructure and service needs.
So, where is the money going? While junior officers claim their vehicles are grounded due to a lack of spare parts or fuel, our investigation spotted ZRP vehicles being used for anything but police work. In some instances, police trucks have been seen transporting firewood or charcoal for private sale. In others, they have been spotted performing “private errands” for senior officers or, most ironically, running as “mushikashika” (illegal taxis) to pick up paying passengers.
The irony is not lost on the public. While the ZRP has intensified its crackdown on illegal transport operators, impounding thousands of pirate taxis, their own vehicles are sometimes seen doing the very same thing. This conspiracy of neglect has left the police force incapacitated, not by a genuine lack of funds, but by a lack of accountability and a prioritisation of private gain over public duty.
The Official Denial
Confronted with these allegations, the ZRP national command has maintained a stance of firm denial. National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, recently appeared on a current affairs programme to address these concerns. His message was clear: the public should not believe the excuses.
“Members of the public are advised not to entertain the lie that police do not have vehicles. Government is procuring vehicles,” Comm Nyathi said. “There is no police station in Zimbabwe without a vehicle, including in Harare.”
Comm Nyathi went further, revealing that the government had recently purchased 500 more motorbikes to bolster the fleet. He insisted that these resources are available and that any officer claiming otherwise is acting outside of official policy.
“Any police officer who gives excuses that they don’t have transport and is requesting a complainant to provide transport, call our public relations desk. Report such cases and action will be taken,” he urged.
However, for the citizen standing at a police desk at 2:00 AM while a burglar is still in their yard, the Commissioner’s words offer little comfort. The gap between the official policy in Harare and the operational reality at a local station remains a chasm.
The Breakdown of the Social Contract
This crisis is more than just a logistical failure; it is a fundamental breakdown of the social contract. Citizens pay their taxes with the expectation that the state will provide basic security. When a police officer refuses to attend a crime scene because of a lack of fuel—while the station’s only vehicle is parked at a local shopping centre—that contract is torn to pieces.
The result is a surge in crime as criminals become emboldened by the knowledge that the police are unlikely to respond. In communities across the country, residents are being forced to form their own neighbourhood watch groups, effectively doing the job the police are paid to do. This is the true cost of the “no transport” scam: a society where safety is no longer a right, but a luxury.
How to Fight Back: A Citizen’s Guide
The ZRP command has urged the public to report corrupt officers, but how exactly does one do that without becoming a target? Here is a step-by-step guide on how to challenge the “no transport” excuse and demand the service you are entitled to:
- Ask for the Officer’s Details: If an officer tells you they cannot attend a scene due to transport, politely ask for their name, rank, and force number. They are legally required to provide this information.
- Note the Vehicle Details: If you see a police vehicle parked at the station while being told there is no transport, take note of its registration number. If you see a police vehicle being used for private errands, take a photo if it is safe to do so.
- Request to See the Officer-in-Charge (OIC): If the junior officer is unhelpful, ask to speak to the OIC of the station. Often, the threat of escalating the matter to their superior is enough to “find” a vehicle or the necessary fuel.
- Call the National Complaints Desk: Do not rely on the station’s internal complaint system, which may be compromised. Call the ZRP National Complaints Desk directly.
- Use WhatsApp: The ZRP has a dedicated WhatsApp line for tips and complaints. Send a message with the details of the incident, the station, and the officer involved. This creates a digital trail that is harder to ignore.
Internal Affairs & Hotline Numbers:
- National Complaints Desk (Landline): (0242) 703631
- WhatsApp Hotline: 0712 800 197 or 0712 800 196
- Police General Headquarters: (0242) 700171-9
Demanding Accountability
The “no transport” scam is a symptom of a deeper malaise within the Zimbabwean state—a culture where public service is seen as an opportunity for private gain. But as Commissioner Nyathi has pointed out, the resources do exist. The vehicles are there, the fuel is allocated, and the motorbikes are being deployed.
It is up to the citizens of Zimbabwe to stop accepting these excuses. By reporting every instance of extortion and every refusal to attend a crime scene, the public can begin to force the accountability that has been missing for so long. The social contract can be restored, but only if we refuse to be silent victims of a conspiracy of neglect that leaves us all in the dark.
Justice should not have a fuel price. It is time for the ZRP to do the job they are paid to do, or for the public to demand to know exactly where their millions are going. The safety of our communities depends on it.