Chronicle Editor
Mkhululi Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
AFTER 37 years of dedication to duty and serving with distinction, the Officer Commanding Bulilima-Mangwe District, Chief Superintendent Stephen Mutema, has retired.
And for any police officer to be honoured by the police service like Chief Supt Mutema they must serve communities they are deployed in with distinction.
This was said by the acting officer commanding Matabeleland South Province, Assistant Commissioner Jeremiah Murenje in Plumtree on Thursday at Officer Chief Supt Mutema’s farewell party.
Chief Supt Mutema spent the majority of the 37 years in the police force in Matabeleland South Province.
Chief Supt Mutema was a father figure to officers he led which made it easier for them to approach him when they had problems.
“Chief Superintendent Mutema dedicated himself to duty, served well the people and he commanded well those who were under him. That saw him being promoted up to the rank he has today through hard work. I challenge officers and members to emulate such character as the sky is the limit in the organisation and if you do well, we will reward you well. To be a high-ranking officer you need to emulate what Chief Superintendent Mutema did and we will not hesitate to recommend for your promotion,” he said.
Asst Comm Murenje paid tribute to Chief Supt Mutema for being a servant of the province as he spent almost all his police career in Matabeleland South Province.
“Most of his service was in this province and just briefly went out of it when he was deployed in Manicaland and when he was deployed outside the country on a United Nations Mission to South Sudan,” said Asst Comm Murenje.
“Policing has diverse challenges and needs men and women who have biblical wisdom to lead it and Chief Supt Mutema was such a leader. I have no doubt that he will continue being an ambassador of the organisation. He is a source of wisdom in policing and those who will come after him will have someone to advise them.” he said.
Mangwe district development coordinator Ms Rorisang Makhurane said the Chief Supt Mutema worked tirelessly and contributed toward the security of Bulilima-Mangwe.
She said Chief Supt Mutema retires with dignity, respect and grace and wished him well in retirement.
“I would like to express my gratitude for your support, assistance and guidance on issues that required security intervention. You always responded timeously and that good working relationship has helped keep our communities safe. It was an honour to work with a colleague who was committed to the development,” she said.
Representing traditional leaders, Chief Kandana said chiefs had a good working relationship with Chief Supt Mutema.
“We salute you for your good working relationship with the people which has brought peace in our areas. He respected his job and was a very patient someone and we hope that whoever takes over from him will learn from him. As chiefs, we will miss the good working relationship and we will continue tapping into your knowledge,” said Chief Kandana.
Chief Supt Mutema said he finished training in 1985 and was posted to Fort Rixon where he spent seven years before moving to Plumtree Police Station where he was in and out and held various positions on promotion.
He also headed Plumtree Border Post and Madlambudzi Police Station where he helped solve many murder cases which were a serious concern to the police.
“Almost my whole police career was in Matabeleland South Province as I only went out to Manicaland Province for one-and-a-half years and to South Sudan on a United Nations Mission for two years. Throughout my service, I was never charged for any form of misconduct, not that I was perfect, but I could abide by the rules and regulations of the organisation. I respected anyone despite their rank,” he said.
“My advice to my fellow officers as I leave the service is that they must have total commitment, be upright, professional, and shun corrupt activities. They should be close to the communities and address their concerns. Our communities like the police and they should never wrong them. Once you do that, they will give you the necessary support.”
The farewell party was also attended by various committees that work with the police in the fight against crime, senior civil servants, and police officers. — @themkhust
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