-fleecing public
Roseline Mutare
The police has been accused of fleecing the public by forcing those seeking finger prints clearance to pay $15 in addition to the mandatory $5 for processing the papers.
The Midweek Watch established that the $15 is not receipted and is meant to ‘facilitate’ the processing of the fingerprints within three days.
“The $5 is receipted while the $15 is meant to facilitate the processing of your papers in Harare, if you don’t have the $15 we will give you your papers and you take them to Harare for processing, which may take you seven to 14 days but if you pay the $15, after three days you will get your papers back,” a cop at Masvingo Central Police Station told this reporter after she pretended to be in need of finger prints clearance.
When contacted for comment national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi blasted the practice and said it is illegal as only $5 is enough for one to have the finger prints processed.
“Thank you very much for raising the issue, the process for getting finger prints processed is very clear.
“One pays $5 for the process that takes seven days and $10 for the emergency clearance which takes three days and all that money is receipted and audited periodically by government auditors. Members of the public should not pay anything outside that and those engaging in such practice are actually committing corruption.
“Members of the public should leave their finger prints with the police who will facilitate the clearance after the stipulated days,” said Nyathi.
A source revealed that after paying the initial fee, applicants are informed that they need to take their fingerprints to the Police Headquarters in Harare, a process that can take seven days or more. For those who require expedited services, an additional fee of $15 is demanded for a three-day turnaround.
Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, Masvingo Province Police spokesperson also said they will hold the two accountable for corruption if caught.
“We do not encourage such practices, and if any victim comes forward, we will hold both the victim and the perpetrator accountable,” said Dhewa.
He urged the public not to succumb to corruption, warning that those caught bribing officials would be arrested.
Former Masvingo City Mayor, Advocate Collen Maboke both parties are equally guilty of corruption.
“It is evident that there exists complicity in corruption between the victim and the perpetrator, the public must resist the urge to pay public entities for services they inherently deserve. If you anticipate needing to have your fingerprints taken, plan to obtain these services through the appropriate channels, avoiding any form of bribery,” said Maboke.
A source who alerted this publication about the practice said they were over 30 of them on the day in question and they all paid the $15 facilitation fee meaning the police made over $300 on that day alone.
For one to get formal employment in the private sector or government one must have finger prints cleared for any criminal record.
The Midweek Watch has also learnt that the practice is rampant throughout the country including Bulawayo and Harare.
