NATIONAL police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba has threatened to “smoke out” moles who allegedly leak internal and confidential information to the media. BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER
In a confidential memo dated October 23 this year, which was leaked to NewsDay yesterday, Charamba warned police officers against leaking information to the media under the guise of unnamed sources.
Part of the internal memo, marked RDO CC106/14, read: “This office is concerned with police officers who are communicating and giving information on police activities to the media. This includes radio signals and circulars which are being extensively quoted in the print and electronic media.” She said the effect of the unauthorised leaking of documents was affecting the image of the police force. “These so-called ‘impeccable police sources’ ‘senior officers’ ‘police details who spoke on condition they are not named’ are strongly warned as disciplinary action will be taken. Investigations have been instituted to identify and account for the so-called ‘police sources’, commanders are urged to monitor members,” Charamba warned.
She said those doing so would be charged with violating sections of the Zimbabwe Republic Police standing orders volume one part 2 (26.6) which read: “No member shall communicate without authority directly or indirectly to any member of the Press or public any matter or thing relating to the force where such communication is likely to be prejudicial to the administration, discipline or efficiency of the force.”
However, police sources who spoke on condition of anonymity accused Charamba of seeking to conduct an illegal witch-hunt to silence whistleblowers who were exposing their bosses’ corrupt activities.
“These guys are embarrassed that they are being exposed especially when their corrupt memos which are used to steal money from officers are exposed in the Press. Some of their radios are even illegal and once they are exposed they are embarrassed,” the source said.
