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Senior police officer dismissed for 'supporting' MDC
Tichaona Sibanda, SW Radio Africa
July 31, 2007

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news310707/MDC310707.htm

A senior officer with the Zimbabwe Republic Police was last week dismissed from the force, allegedly after it was discovered she had 'links' with the MDC. It still remains unclear how she is involved with the opposition party. There are reports however that this is a message from Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri that any MDC sympathisers within the force would not be tolerated.

Assistant Commissioner Kudzai Sibusiso Ndawana was practising as a dentist at Morris Depot training school. She had to be forcibly dragged out of her official residence at Chikurubi support unit base by fellow armed colleagues after refusing to leave. Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka confirmed Ndawana's dismissal and the subsequent withdrawal of her housing and vehicle benefits.

Initial reports say Ndawana had resisted vacating the house after an internal investigation linked her to the MDC. The high-ranking officer from the police medical corps also had her official Peugeot 406 taken away.

Former Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Chawora said it is clear from reports that the reaction from Chihuri was very heavy handed.

'If it is true they fired her for her links with the MDC then Chihuri and almost half the police force should be dismissed for being card carrying members of Zanu (PF),' Chawora said.

According to Chawora, serving police officers are barred from active politics although they are allowed to vote in any election. This means a serving officer can privately be a member of a chosen political party but cannot articulate party views in public.

'Chihuri is on record telling the nation that he was a staunch Zanu (PF) cadre. Army generals are also on record saying they would never salute a President without war credentials. This effectively means they are pro-Zanu (PF), so its clear the laws are being selectively applied in the security services,' Chawora added.

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