Police officer’s salary’ suspended’ for over a year

A police officer based at Siteki Police Station is living in distress after his salary was suspended for over a year while he continues to report for duty daily.

While other workers wait in anticipation for payday each month, the officer alleges that he has been waiting for an incontact that has not come for the past 13 months.

His concerned colleagues tipped this publication about an officer who now depends on Good Samaritans to assist him in maintaining his household while his salary remains suspended, allegedly without an official communique or reasons from his superiors.

When asked about the veracity of the matter, the officer (name deliberately withheld to protect his dignity) confirmed that he has not been receiving his salary for the past 13 months.

The officer claimed that his last salary was in November 2024. Speaking with visible frustration, he said he had made several attempts to get clarity from his superiors, who only gave him hope that the matter would be attended to and addressed.

The officer initially expressed reluctance to speak to the media, acknowledging that it might be viewed as out of order. He said, however, that he had no other option but to cry out for help.

“I have reached a stage where I have contemplated suicide on many occasions because of this issue,” said the officer as he struggled to contain his emotions.

He claimed that he was never given a clear explanation as to why his salary was suspended while he continued to report for duty without fail.

The officer said that during the past 13 months, he was still posted for various operations like any other officer on duty.

As a result of not receiving his salary, the officer said he was drowning in debt, surviving by borrowing money from one person to another. He added that he was struggling to provide for his school-going children.

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“Last year my children were among pupils who received a donation of school shoes from the national commissioner of police. Other parents were shocked to see a police officer’s children receiving a donation because they believed I could afford to buy them,” he said, in between sobs.

The officer said his dignity had suffered greatly as he was now known as someone who could not pay off debts.

He claimed that at present, he was not undergoing any disciplinary process and continues to commute daily from home to work.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, acknowledged the officer’s predicament.

Mnguni explained that the officer had pending disciplinary issues, which led to the suspension of his salary.

She disclosed that at some point, the officer allegedly disappeared from work for a prolonged period without official leave, among other administrative issues.

Mnguni said it was not true that the officer was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the salary suspension.

While confirming that the officer was currently at work, she said the disciplinary processes were ongoing.

Acknowledging the officer’s difficult situation, Mnguni advised him to seek counselling through the internal departments set up to assist troubled officers.

“The regional office can also assist in updating the officer about the administrative processes concerning his issues,” she said.