Police Officers Banned From Buying Mealie Meal While Clad In Uniform
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has banned its officers from purchasing mealie while clad in police uniform.
Police officers have often been accused of abusing their authority by buying mealie meal in huge quantities, depriving other citizens of an opportunity to purchase the staple.
The officers would allegedly divert the mealie meal to the black market where it is sold for more than double the gazetted price.
Below is a memorandum from the Bulawayo Provincial Police Headquarters advising all stations in the province of the new regulations:
PROHIBITION OF PURCHASE OF MEALIE-MEAL BY POLICE OFFICERS IN UNIFORM STOP
THIS OFFICE OBSERVED WITH GREAT CONCERN THE LEVEL OF SERIOUS CONTEMPT AND DISREGARD OF POLICE STANDARD OF DISCIPLINE IN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN BULAWAYO. MEMBERS ARE SEEN MOVING AROUND CARRYING BAGS OF MEALIE-MEAL IN UNIFORM. IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT ADDRESSEES CMM WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT CEASE TO PURCHASE MEALIE-MEAL IN POLICE UNIFORM. OFFICERS AND MEMBERS IN CHARGE STATIONS ARE THUS DIRECTED TO COMPILE LISTS OF MEMBERS UNDER THEIR COMMAND AND FORWARD THEM TO THIS HEADQUARTERS AS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WITH MILLERS TO DELIVER THE COMMODITY AT POLICE CAMPS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. ADDRESSEES ARE DIRECTED TO TREAT THIS SIGNAL WITHOUT DISDAINCY. ANYONE WHO SHALL BE SEEN LOADED WITH MEALEMEAL IN THEIR PERSON WHILST IN POLICE UNIFORM WILL BE ARRESTED AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN.
