Drunk and Asleep: Police Officer Removed from Guarding Election Materials
A police officer in Jambezi, Matebeleland North, was found asleep and drunk while on duty guarding election materials. The incident occurred at Sacred Heart Mission, where the officer, Detective Sergeant Shepherd Tokowa, was supposed to be ensuring the security of polling station equipment and ballot papers. This negligent behavior led senior police officers conducting spot checks to take immediate action.
Inspector Mbewe and his team arrived at Sacred Heart Mission Hall to find the polling station locked. Despite knocking on the door for 30 minutes, Detective Sergeant Tokowa failed to respond. Concerned, another officer peeped through the window and discovered the officer sleeping inside, clearly intoxicated. Efforts were made to wake him up, and upon finally regaining consciousness, he was found to be ostensibly drunk.
As a result of his unacceptable conduct, Detective Sergeant Tokowa was removed from his duties with immediate effect. He was also arrested for performing his duty in an improper manner and subsequently detained at Victoria Falls Police Station. The ward election officer, Sikhumbuzo Moyo, who is a teacher at Jabula Primary School, complained about Detective Sergeant Tokowa’s behavior to the visiting officers, stating that he appeared visibly drunk and that his conduct was not pleasant.
With the general elections in Zimbabwe just around the corner, the incident highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism and sobriety among law enforcement officials entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding election materials. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has distributed election materials to 12,374 polling stations across the country in preparation for the upcoming elections. Over six million Zimbabweans are registered to vote in this crucial event, and it is imperative that the process remains secure and free from any lapses or irregularities.
This incident serves as a reminder to the authorities to ensure that officers assigned to election-related duties are properly trained, vigilant, and able to carry out their responsibilities in an appropriate manner. While this particular officer’s behavior was alarming, it is essential to maintain a balanced view and acknowledge the countless law enforcement officials who diligently perform their duties with utmost dedication and professionalism.
As the nation waits for the general elections on Wednesday, the focus must be on conducting a fair and transparent electoral process, where the will of the people can be accurately represented. Ensuring the rigorous scrutiny of officers deployed to polling stations is of paramount importance to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and other relevant authorities should take immediate measures to address any potential security concerns and provide assurances to both the candidates and the voting populace. The incident involving Detective Sergeant Shepherd Tokowa underscores the need for continuous monitoring and strict adherence to professional standards in order to maintain the trust and confidence of the public in the electoral process.
