Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
TRADITIONAL leaders are playing a key role in fighting crime in Mazowe, with police crediting chiefs with helping dismantle farm robbery, stock theft and violent crime syndicates.
Speaking at the launch of the invigorated Mazowe Client Chapter on Friday afternoon, Officer Commanding Mazowe District Chief Superintendent Gladman Chiparaushe said closer cooperation with traditional leaders had helped tackle crime hotspots across the district.
“Traditional leaders are the custodians of our culture and way of life. For public service to move forward smoothly, the police must work hand in hand with traditional leaders,” he said.
In Rivers, police approached Chief Chiweshe after tobacco farmers were repeatedly robbed at their homes after returning from auction floors with their proceeds.
The chief provided a base for police operations, resulting in the arrest of the suspected robbers within two weeks, after which the attacks stopped.
In Chief Makope’s area, police worked with the traditional leader to tackle stock theft through community awareness and targeted operations, leading to the arrest of suspected cattle thieves within a month.
Police also engaged Chief Negomo after murders and robberies involving knife-wielding criminals increased in Jumbo.
“Right now, things have normalised,” Chief Superintendent Chiparaushe said.
He said the experiences showed that traditional leaders were essential partners in identifying crime trends, mobilising communities and developing local solutions.
“If we see that there is crime in Chief Chiweshe’s area, we get up and go there, sit down with the Chief, talk, and share ideas so that we can solve the problem at hand”.
