THE Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) has petitioned the police and the Veterinary Services Department in Kwekwe accusing their officials of demanding bribes for livestock clearance and in securing livestock movement permits.
According to a letter written by ACT-SA director Obert Chinhamo dated September 22 and addressed to top police and veterinary officers in Kwekwe district, the officials are reportedly demanding US$10 for livestock clearance.
“We have received a complaint that police officers and veterinary officers in the employ of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Livestock and Veterinary Services Department, respectively demand bribes in exchange for issuing livestock police clearances and movement permits.
“Police officers demand US$10 while veterinary officers also demand the same US$10 as bribes. This means that each person pays a bribe of US$20 to get police clearance and a livestock movement permit. In addition to the bribe of US$20, there is an additional US$10 that is paid to the Livestock and Veterinary Services Department. This additional US$10 is the only amount that is received out of a total payment of US$30,” the letter read.
Chinhamo said the practice of paying bribes appeared normal and acceptable to the management of both the police and the Livestock and Veterinary Services Department.
“All those refusing to pay the bribes are automatically denied the services by officials from both the police and the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services. We hereby write pleading for your intervention to stop this practice and take appropriate action against all those demanding these bribes,” further read the letter.
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Chinhamo said ACT-SA was yet to receive responses from both the police and the Veterinary Services Department.
Efforts to get comment from national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi were fruitless as he was not answering his mobile phone.