GOVERNMENT has banned cops from selling various goods to their colleagues and civilians at police stations and camps in a bid to make ends meet, saying this was disrupting their core duties as law enforcement officers.
In a leaked internal memorandum seen by The Standard, police bosses said they were “dismayed” by the levels of vending in police camps by their juniors.
Police officers are selling various goods such as airtime, snacks, groceries and clothes among others within their camps and also to ordinary people to supplement low earnings.
According to an internal memo written by police provincial officers commanding addressed to district officers commanding and officers in charge, police officers who defy the directive risk imprisonment
“This office has noted with dismay and great concern that members residing in police camps are selling goods at their places of residences which have impacted negatively to police business operations,” part of the memo reads.
“Addresses to take note of the shop licensing Act Part II Subsection 4 Part (1) and (2) which states that: "No Person shall, in any Shop store or other fixed place of business carry on the trade or business of selling or letting for hire any goods, except in terms of a licence.
"Members selling goods in police camps should desist from this development.
“Any person who contravenes subsection (1 and (2) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level eight or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment. addressees to take note of this radio with significance as those found wanting will be dealt with accordingly to ensure compliance and enforcement.”
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Police officers have not been spared the vagaries of the harsh economic climate that has pushed the majority of citizens into deep poverty.
The economic struggles of police officers have also led to another entrepreneurial venture of broiler rearing.
Many officers had taken to raising chickens within the police camps, selling them to colleagues and others to supplement their income.
However, this initiative was recently banned, leaving officers without another vital source of income.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the new directive was meant to instil discipline within the force.
“There are certain disciplinary issues that must be resolved internally to maintain discipline within the force,” he said.
“If there are issues to maintain discipline, I see no wrong.
“If commanders implement measures that ensure discipline is maintained at stations, districts and provinces, there is nothing wrong."
Workers in the private and public sector are demanding better salaries saying they are failing to make ends meet as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government fails to find answers to their suffering.
