Shock as Msv Prov stationed senior cops fail to meet promotion criterion
MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO-Several senior cops stationed in Masvingo Province have failed to meet the promotion criterion as they are not among the 86 recently elevated officers ranging from the rank of chief superintendent to commissioner, The Midweek Watch has learnt.
ZRP national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said promotions are not based on one’s stationof work, but on merit which include recommendations by their commanders, competency and place of origin as they try to balance all the country’s 10 provinces.
All the superintendents, chief superintendents and assistant commissioners stationed in Masvingo Province failed to make it into the list of those promoted by President Mnangagwa on 21 May.
Seventeen were promoted from the rank of assistant commissioner to commissioner, 28 were promoted from the rank of chief superintendent to assistant commissioner and 41 were promoted from the rank of superintendent to chief superintendent and none stationed in Masvingo Province were among the beneficiaries.
This came as a shock to the Masvingo community as they felt the police in the province had performed well in combating crime especially apprehending notorious armed robbers and recovering stolen cattle.
“We were eagerly waiting to pop the champagne bottles with our friends in the police force, but we were shocked to find out that none of them were among the recently promoted senior officers.
“May be they are not good enough to be promoted, but as the Masvingo community we are happy with their performance especially considering the number of arrests of high profile criminals like Ngoni Kambarami aka Soda Water and recovery of stolen cattle in Bikita and Chiredzi,” said a former MP who preferred anonymity for professional reasons.
Masvingo police also arrested a notorious car thief who drove from Plumtree Border Post in handcuffs and passed through several road blocks and tollgates only to be apprehended at Mushagashe tollgate by CID from the province.
The ZRP Promotion Policy involves being interviewed by a Board of Officers Panel and discipline is also considered.
Commissioner Nyathi said, “the ZRP Promotion Policy is clear it does not look at an individual Officer’s station but the region where one comes from to ensure all regions are represented in the promotion exercise.”
Some senior police officers told The Midweek Watch that, this is the first time in as many years that no one stationed in the province has failed to make it into the promotion list of senior officers.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police promotion policy is clear. Officers are promoted based on merit first which include recommendations by their commanders, participation in a Board of Officers for interviews, discipline and competence to perform assigned tasks. The Promotion policy does not look at an individual officer’s station but the region where one comes from to ensure all regions are represented in the promotion exercise.
“In this regard, there are several senior officers from Masvingo province who were promoted and records are there for scrutiny. The Press and Public Relations is ready to provide names for easy reference.
“A Promotion Board which comprises senior officers is tasked by Commissioner-General of Police to comprise the panel. These are chosen based on competence, work experience.
“Several considerations are looked at by the panel. This include one’s record of service in the Zimbabwe Republic Police, discipline, ability, to assume new roles, to lead and guide others in performance of police duties, to enforce discipline and obviously the need to ensure all the regions in the country benefit from the promotion exercise,” responded Commissioner Nyathi.
