POLICE officers assigned to Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit duties have expressed outrage over the alleged paltry payment for their services.
The officers, who were deployed for a ten-day duty escorting delegates, were expecting a daily allowance of US$80, which would have seen them getting US$800 for the duration of their assignment.
However, they were shocked to receive ZiG$3 200, which was equivalent to US$200; sparking widespread discontent and feelings of exploitation among the affected personnel.
The police officers were assigned to various duties such as escorting Sadc delegates and maintaining order in Harare central business district, among others.
"The ZiG3 200 was paid in batches such that we initially received ZiG1 600, and then a few days later, we got another $1 600," a police source said.
"This is despite the fact that the funds were deposited well after the summit when we had used our own funds to cater for our needs during the ten days."
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi yesterday denied claims that the officers attached for Sadc duties were underpaid.
“Everything was done above board, and they were accordingly paid,” Nyathi said.
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“The allowances were in United States dollars, but transferred into Zimbabwe Gold equivalent for those days.
“The members should take note that the Commissioner General (Godwin Matanga) has said if there are any other configurations the Treasury would be engaged.”
Sources said the development has brought to the fore concerns about the welfare and remuneration of law enforcement agents, who are increasingly feeling undervalued and overworked.
Government spent big, buying several vehicles ahead of the Sadc summit held in Harare last month.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed chairmanship of the regional bloc during the summit.
Police summoned officers from various districts across the country to reinforce security in the capital ahead of the summit.
This publication also gathered that two former police officers were arrested after they tampered with the internal banking system and diverted funds meant for allowances for junior cops. Paulos Evidence and Costa Murevesi committed the crimes when they were still employed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and stationed at the Manicaland provincial headquarters.
They were attached to the police finance section, with responsibilities that included initiating, capturing and authorizing transactions using CBZ internet banking.
According to a police internal memorandum, seen by Standard People in a period extending from January 2023 to February 2024, Paulos took advantage of the weak internal control system on the use of passwords and passcodes with the bank and diverted payments for 19 police officers into his bank account.
During the same period, Murevesi also took advantage of the weak internal control system on the use of passwords and passcodes with the bank and diverted payments of 46 officers into his bank accounts.
On July 29, 2024, an internal audit was carried out by the Home Affairs ministry on the Finance section Manicaland provincial headquarters, who unearthed the offence.
Total value prejudiced was $30 613. 93
