A FAMILY from Ngwana area in Bulilima District has registered displeasure over the conduct of police officers who came to collect its relative’s body for a post-mortem on Monday.
Masolina Ndlovu who was in his 50s collapsed and died on his way to his homestead from a beer drink on Sunday night.
Since the deceased’s death was a sudden one, the relatives made a report to Plumtree Town Police Station.
“Five officers travelling in a Mazda B1600 were assigned to accompany the relatives to the village and on the way problems started,” said a relative of the deceased.
“The officers who were visibly drunk were speeding on the gravel road and when they were asked why they were driving at such a high speed they shot back and ordered our relatives to shut up.”
The relatives said when the officers arrived at the village empty beer bottles could be seen in their truck. They also complained that the coffin was in bad shape.
“The coffin that the officers brought to collect the body was very dirty with sand and used gloves inside. In addition to that the coffin’s cover was deformed and could not close properly,” said the relative.
“It was raining when they arrived and insisted on taking along the body with them despite the fact the their coffin could not close. We pleaded with them to wait until the rain stopped but to no avail.
We had to look for a plastic bag to cover the coffin so that water could not get inside.”
The relatives said the police refused to leave any contact details for the relatives to make a follow-up and told them that they would bring the body the following day.
“They told us that it was not necessary for them to leave their contacts since the body could be returned by another person,” said the relative.
“What hurt us most is that we later learnt that the officers stopped at Maplanka Shopping Centre and started drinking beer while the corpse was still inside their truck and it was raining.
Is this the way we are supposed to treat the dead and is it now allowed for police to carry out duties under the influence of alcohol?”
The relatives said by end of business on Tuesday, the body had not been returned for burial.
“As it is we are still waiting for the body and we do not know what to do because there is no one we can contact since the officers did not leave any contacts,” said a relative.
Contacted for comment, the Assistant Commissioner in Charge Of Operations in Matabeleland South Ernest Muchenjekwa said investigations would be made to get to the bottom of the matter.
“Investigations are going to be made to find out what really happened. However the body has since been returned to its relatives for burial,” said Asst Comm Muchenjekwa.
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PEOPLE NEED TO BE COMPASSIONATE, WE REALLY DONT EXPECT SUCH KIND OF THINGS FROM THE POLICE AFTER ALL THEY ARE THERE TO SERVE US.I HOPE THE POLICE WILL MAKE SURE THE COPS INVOLVED ARE PUNISHED.
Comment by MERCY — December 25, 2009 @ 11:24 am
most policeman in zimbabwe need top lose their jobs and they should give them to those who are willing to actually work, not take people’s money and abuse the public’s rights… i’m sure there are a lot of people in zim wqho dont av jobs and are wiling to actually work other than payin these idiots to terrorise the citizens…wat a shame
Comment by sexy — December 25, 2009 @ 6:08 pm
This proves that there is no more rule of law in Zim.
Comment by MUGABE — December 25, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
This pathetic behavoir is a true reflection opf the leadership that has bedevilled this god forsaken country for so long. what a shame! Is this the freedom we fought for and sacrificed lives for? It is not worthy the sacrifice if people were given a second chance. Shame on zanu and its leadership. These caricatures have looted and are looting state rtesources willy nilly. I wonder wh
Comment by Chris Mpala — December 25, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
these idiot policeman need to be fired , who on earth have they seen drinking beer with a dead body, dai aive babavavo or mukoma vavo vainza sei. anyway haisi mhosva yavo nekuti even mutungamiriri vavo imhondi haana hanya nevanhu vanokanganwa kuti magwana ndivovo they deserve respect
Comment by ygupe — December 27, 2009 @ 8:37 am
THERE IS NO POINT SAYIN WE DONT EXPECT FRM THESE PPL AFTER ALL THER AFRICAN PPL N WE NOE HOW WE ARE WE ARE BRIBEABLE N SO WAT DO EXPECT TINO SEWA WANO WEDO
Comment by GARORAGU — December 27, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
is this a true story or not if we look at the picture there i do not have any comment on this story.
Comment by Tarisai — December 27, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
That is very disgusting, obnoxious, arrogant, where is ubuntu/bunhu?? Something needs to be done with the whole ZRP team. This behaviour is a true reflection of what is happening inside the corrupt and rude Zim police force. Anyway, the same wankers will die too. Six-feet under the ground, your day is coming mapholisa e-Zanu Pf.
Comment by Sibongubunandi Khumalo — December 27, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
It’s only in Zim, where police drink and get drunk while on duty. And still get away with it. My sympathy to the family of the deceased.
Comment by Nyoka The Snake — December 30, 2009 @ 6:34 am
Guys its atrue story. Thats a relative of mine who is mentioned in this story.The behaviour of our cops is shocking.
Comment by Nonoza — January 7, 2010 @ 6:45 am
imbwa dzevanhu imbwa dzamugabe Zimunhu Raka Pusa(ZRP)
Comment by zvemugumbeze — January 8, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
Shona cops disrespecting our people, can they behave the same way when in their home area.
Comment by Vuyo — January 12, 2010 @ 10:14 am
Ngavabhise chioko muhome. body inodzoka chopazi. Zvekuswera muchinyomba mapurisa kana kuti varangwe murikutandanisana nemhepo. For you to be come a police officer of 2day you have to be highly connected zvakasimba, kusapota musangano uri correct.
Reasons for returning the body late : THE DECEASED WAS SUSPECTED TO BE A STOUNCT SUPPORTER OF THIS BRITISH PAPETS PARTY. SO TANGA TICHIMBOONGORORA CHITUNHA.
OFFICER….. MUNOTIDII TIRIKUTONGA
Comment by ZRP Zuvare Rese Pamba — January 25, 2010 @ 10:13 am
they should show respect or the dead even if they were a drunkard taking them to the bar wasnt so nice but silly its disgusting actually what a bunch of lunatics
Comment by mandi — January 27, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
vuyo mazinzeve ako akatiza musoro ndiri kubva mukuti chii nenyaya yevanhu vanoti kukaitika nyaya voti nekuti mushona kana kuti mundevele grow up man
Comment by mandi — January 27, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
MaNdebele munoda gukurahundi mune tribalism stereki
Comment by Svirimoni — February 1, 2010 @ 8:59 pm
ALL THE POLLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ASTOUNDING STORY MUST BE PUNISHED ARRCODINGLY OR GIVEN THE BOOT,HOW DID THEY JOIN THE POLICE FORCE INTHE FIRST PLACE,izvi zvandikatyamadza !
Comment by bright nerwande — February 12, 2010 @ 10:42 am
Kana vanhu vava ne conscience dzakafa kudai vanoraramirei, vatova varwere vepfungwa ava. thina abansundu we respect the dead. Amapholisa la asazi ukuti avela ngaphi? imisundulo yabo
Comment by Joel — February 25, 2010 @ 2:47 pm