Junior Cops Cry Foul Over Senior Officer Chikunguru Interference at Copa Cabana
Tensions are simmering at Harare Central Police Station, where a group of disgruntled junior police officers has accused a high-ranking senior officer Commissioner Chikunguru of systematically undermining their authority and obstructing justice at the Copa Cabana Terminus.
The officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, allege that the senior office has been shielding kombis trading as Manchester City at the busy terminus from arrest, demanding that impounded vehicles be released immediately, regardless of the charges for a fee.
And the other ones operating as Excellence have also been spotted enjoying the same privileges.
The junior police officers are appealing to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and Home affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and police commissioner Stephen Mutamba to look into the matter.
“Mota dziri kumirirwa na Shefu dzawandisa basa racho harichaitika,” said one officer identified himself as November.
The police has put up a permanent roadblock at the Bus Terminal where the police are operating from a Mazda B1800 truck and a Ford Ranger that is working from the traffic lights.
The police boss is accused of shielding the Man City kombis while other operators are constantly being arrested and harassed at the same point.
“As an operator we also want to join, we don’t know how much is commissioner Chikunguru charging. It’s very unfair that Manchester City kombis are enjoying good privileges,” said one operator.
Sources say that inspector Tshuma once impounded a kombi belonging to Man City emblazoned Kevin De Brynner. He was subsequently transferred to Gweru Rural by commissioner Chikunguru as a form of punishment for the arrest.
“We are the ones on the ground. We see the traffic violations, the overloading, and the lack of proper licensing. We make an arrest to enforce the law and protect commuters, but within minutes, we get a call from above ordering us to release the kombi,” said one officer, his voice laced with frustration.
“It is deeply embarrassing. We look like fools in front of the public. The kombi operators laugh at us because they know they have ‘immunity.’ They tell us, ‘You’ll just release it anyway, so why waste our time?’”
The Copa Cabana terminus, a chaotic hub for commuter omnibuses, has long been a flashpoint for traffic enforcement.
Chikunguru is said to be working in cahoots with a lady from Harare City only identified as Mai Mahoyo in defending the kombis.
The commutter omnibuses are illegally picking passengers outside the rank with the blessing of Mai Mahoyo.
A runner called Robbie is the one who is in charge reporting any arrests to Mai Mahoyo that are done by junior municipal police.
Junior officers claim their efforts to bring order are being systematically reversed by a superior who is allegedly protecting specific transport operators.
The situation has created a toxic work environment, leading to a quiet exodus of personnel.
According to sources within the station, several officers have already been transferred out, some have been seconded to Parliament duties—effectively removing them from the road—while others have formally requested transfers to get away from the demoralizing situation.
“I have put in my papers to go to any other station,” another officer revealed. “What is the point of wearing this uniform if we are not allowed to do our job? We are being punished for trying to be professional. Meanwhile, those who keep quiet and look the other way are rewarded.”
The unfair treatment has not gone unnoticed by law-abiding kombi operators, who say the current system favors the corrupt and punishes those who follow the rules.
“It is not fair,” said Dzetse, a kombi driver who ply between Mbare and the Central Business District.
“We spend our money to get our route permits, our insurance, and our vehicle inspection discs. We do everything by the book. But then we see these other kombis at Copa Cabana picking up passengers anywhere, anyhow, with no papers. If the police try to arrest them, they are released immediately. How are we supposed to compete with that? The police must be fair to everyone.”
Another kombi owner, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals against his vehicles, added, “We hear the stories. We know there is a ‘godfather’ at the station protecting those guys. We pay our dues legitimately, but it seems the only way to survive in this business is to know someone high up. It’s destroying the transport sector.”
When approached for comment, the National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, stated that he was not yet aware of the specific allegations but promised to look into the matter.
The junior officers on the ground argue that reporting the issue internally is futile when the problem originates from the top.
“We are between a rock and a hard place,” lamented one officer. “If we enforce the law, we are overruled. If we ignore the violations, we are negligent. We just want to serve the public without being made a laughing stock. We took an oath that we will do our job without fear and favor, “ he said.
“The commissioner should look into the matter why several officers have been transferred from the CBD,” he added.
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