Negative publicity demoralising police
EDITOR — In Zimbabwe there is no shortage of information depicting the Zimbabwe Republic Police, especially the traffic department, in a negative light.
It is easy for Zimbabweans to believe any false allegation levelled against the traffic cops because we have allowed ourselves to be sucked into the vortex of what seems to be an endless litany of negative media coverage.
What they did on Friday, May 11, 2018, and what they are still doing is wonderful. I have two shops near Tredgold Building and for years I have had to endure the anarchy caused by the wayward motorists, especially kombi and Honda Fit drivers.
I couldn’t even park my car in my parking bay because of these anarchists who drive unregistered vehicles to evade arrest!
According to the Chronicle, 52 vehicles were impounded and Skyz Metro also carried the story on their news bulletins. This clearly shows that the police are not that bad.
It’s just that as a country we have allowed a small segment of society to use a very effective media machine to make the police look that way.
We all know that police officers are human and can make mistakes, some more serious than others. We also know they work in a profession with some of the highest standards that results in constant scrutiny.
Yes people have a right to complain, but complaints alleging misconduct should be investigated and dealt with through administrative discipline, termination or criminal charges — they should not be done through the media, be it social media or mainstream media.
It’s a pity that the bad gets more coverage than the good even if most of the bad is not backed by evidence. As things stand no one is praising the female driver behind a ZRP Ford Fiesta (number plate provided) — she and her team are doing a splendid job decongesting the city centre — but all that I hear is that the police are back on the road.
Where are they supposed to be, in their offices? Give me a break. The police are back in full force because as citizens we have proved that without constant supervision we lack discipline and order.
We love chaos but chaos cannot be allowed to go unchecked. Now it’s a pleasure to drive on Fort Street and Herbert Chitepo. I can’t help but say to ZRP Traffic thank you very much.
To Commissioner General Godwin Matanga, keep up the good work. DO NOT TIRE, DO NOT BACK SLIDE. They complain not because you are wrong, but because they are used to wrongs going unpunished.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28vs1). Relieved Licensed driver of a registered vehicle