Donald Chakamanga
President Mnangwagwa has promised to squash criminals in Zimbabwe saying that perpetrators and offenders will not be given breathing space and will be firmly dealt with to curb crime, deviance and illicit behaviour.
He made the remarks while handing over 82 vehicles to the ZRP at the Morris Training Deport in Harare.
The President said crime required stiff action from the police.
“Criminals must never be given any breathing space to commit their illegal, immoral and even, wicked acts. Crime, by its nature and diverse forms, retards the normal functioning of society, requiring intervention by law enforcement authorities,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the police played a key role in the national development matrix of Zimbabwe.
“The peace dividend that accrues from the diligent execution of your mandate has a far reaching bearing on the level of investment and overall economic development of our country.
“Interventions by the Second Republic, to date, should see the Zimbabwe Republic Police realizing its aspirations of policing for peace, economic development, prosperity and ultimately the attainment of development objectives set out in the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the vehicle fleet comes at a time when Zimbabwe has witnessed a worrying surge in crimes.
He said the vehicles should, therefore, boost the operational effectiveness and visibility of the ZRP as it responds to criminal activities and fosters a safe and secure environment for all.
He called on the police to resuscitate night patrols in both rural and urban areas.
Acknowledging the inadequacy of the commissioned vehicles, President Mnangagwa said the fleet will undoubtedly ameliorate the organization’s current mobility challenges.
He said the vehicles’ distribution must be inspired and informed by the Devolution principles and in line with the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Commending men and women in the force, he said there were still some rogue elements and bad apples that must be flushed out from the police service.
“I challenge you, the officers, men and women of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to always be alive to the fact that a higher professional, ethical and moral standard is demanded of you.
“You have a duty to be patriotic as well as to uphold the Constitution and the sacred values of your organization. You have the weighty responsibility of ensuring a crime free Zimbabwe,” he said.
He also called on communities to inculcate a culture of honesty, hard honest work and discipline, beginning at the family level.
“Musachengete matsotsi. Let us collectively adopt all possible strategies which instill discipline in the society, at the community level, within the police service and ultimately the justice delivery system as a whole,” he said.
He also commended the police for helping Zimbabwe navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President said government was also aware of the challenges and irregularities that the police and civil servants in general face with regards to accommodation.
The police’s Criminal Investigations Department recently received vehicles from Sakunda Holdings to fight against armed robberies.
ZRP Commissioner General Godwin Matanga said the fleet would ensure that the police effectively discharge its mandate.
He said the high-powered vehicles received from Sakunda Holdings had already been distributed to the CID and Vehicle Theft Squad.
He said detectives had already accounted for 47 armed robbers and recovered arms and ammunition used in perpetration of violent crimes.
The arrested criminals had already cleared 27 armed robberies and eight rape cases.
