Mugabe plans to restructure Zimbabwe Republic Police

By Tichaona Sibanda
28 October 2005

Robert Mugabe is reported to have authorised a restructuring of the police force that will see Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri and other senior officers leaving the force to be replaced by a “new breed of trusted officers”

ZimOnline on Friday quoted authoritative sources who said the changes in the police force, which were initially earmarked to take place last month, were part of a wider re-organisation of the top brass in the security forces by Mugabe. The ultimate aim is to place the forces in the hands of trusted loyalists before Mugabe retires, supposedly in 2008.

According to the sources Chihuri was supposed to be replaced by Mugabe’s nephew Innocent Matibiri when his term expired last September. This could not happen because Mugabe had, until a few weeks ago, not given his final approval to the restructuring plan.

Chihuri will be forced to go since his rank will be phased out. Some of his deputies and senior officers, whom the President is suspicious of, will be forced to leave as well. “A new breed of trusted police officers will be installed," said a source who did not want to be named. 

Chihuri, who was part of a group of fighters that unsuccessfully rebelled against Mugabe during Zimbabwe’s 1970s war of independence, is still Police Commissioner after his term was extended.

Former Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Chawora, speaking in London, said the proposed changes don’t necessarily mean who ever takes over would be obliged to protect Mugabe from prosecution.

‘ There is a unique system in the uniformed forces where officers are bound to be loyal to the serving government. It would be foolhardy for Mugabe to presume that his loyalists will be able to defend some of his actions when he retires,’ said Chawora.