OPEN LETTER TO COMMISSIONER-GENERAL OF ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE

Dear CGP Godwin Matanga Sir,

I address you, not because I am a former policeman but as a patriotic and peace-loving Zimbabwean. I have decided not to use the proper channel to address you since I am in pain and a great shock. As enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Police Service must protect and secure the lives of people living in the country. And it should also maintain law and order.

I have read the gruesome murder of an innocent civilian Paul Munakopa by our police officers from Hillside Police Station in Bulawayo. Mr. Munakopa died of injuries after officers opened fire at his vehicle on Saturday 23 May 2020. It pains me to see this kind of police brutality happening daily to my fellow citizens.

Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe is loud and clear ‘RIGHT TO LIFE’. As told by Mr. Munakopa’s wife he was not armed or possession of any weapon. It’s now over a week you have done nothing to bring the culprit to book. Look at what is happening in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States of America last week, a policeman killed an unarmed man, George Floyd. In less than 48 hours the cop was fired from police service and arrested for third-degree murder. The same should happen to the late Paul case here in Zimbabwe.

A fortnight ago three female opposition activists were arrested for staging an illegal demonstration in Harare. The activists were abducted and sexually assaulted whilst in police custody. As a former policeman, I am aware sir, every accused person in police custody is subject to booking and every occurrence at a police station is recorded in the Occurrence Book. What happened to these three ladies? I am praying for your immediate resignation from the Police Service since you do not deserve to lead such a vital government department. It’s far much better to concentrate on farming at your farm. We are sick and of human abuse by Zimbabwe security agents.

Yours in pain

Bloom Tizora (Author of 2 books, blogger, writer and former Zimbabwe policeman)