MASVINGO — Police Assistant Commissioner (Operations) Gideon Baloyi has been demoted to the “propol’s pool” after he challenged Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi to probe Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri for allegedly covering up high-profile criminal cases and rewarding corrupt officers.
By Tatenda Chitagu
Baloyi’s transfer was communicated to his station through a radio signal last Thursday with his post set to be filled by a chief superintendent Mubaiwa.
The propol’s pool is a reserve in the police where officers will not be holding any specific portfolios, making them virtually powerless.
Sources said Baloyi was expected to assume his new duties at the police provincial headquarters this week.
Mohadi yesterday professed ignorance over Baloyi’s demotion, saying he was yet to receive the letter.
Masvingo Police Provincial Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo, refused to take questions from NewsDay.
Baloyi made headlines last year after being slapped with a nine-month jail term for allegedly trying to protect Nevermind Kufakunesu, accused of swindling local businessman Batsirai Mupindu of chickens worth $21 000 in January 2014.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Baloyi was later acquitted by the High Court after he successfully appealed against both conviction and sentence. He was then transferred to Masvingo.
Before turning to Mohadi, Baloyi had initially written to Chihuri and Deputy Commissioner-General (Crime) Godwin Matanga raising similar complaints, but got no response.
In a leaked strongly-worded four-page letter titled, ZRP: A Transforming Organisation Weighing Heavily on Transparency, which was copied to President Robert Mugabe, Baloyi “named and shamed” some senior police officers he claimed were walking scot-free despite committing serious crimes. He named one top official (name provided), still serving in the force, who allegedly fatally shot a street kid for stealing his mobile phone.
He also named an ex-commissioner and a superintendent whose corruption cases were allegedly swept under the carpet while another ex-commissioner left in a huff to claim benefits when charged with criminal abuse of office.
“I am sure this document will not offend particular individuals, but it is meant to correct our organisational policies that laws of the land should not be applied to selected individuals,” he said.
“Defeating the course of justice, according to my understanding, applies equally to all public office holders, police officers included. The million dollar question is, ‘Will they ever stand trial or they will simply go scot-free’.”
Baloyi also added a Zanu PF factional perspective to the dispute, claiming he was being persecuted for campaigning for Mugabe in the June 2013 harmonised elections.
