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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
The net will soon close in on land barons who are illegally selling State land to unsuspecting home seekers, Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, said yesterday.
The minister made the remarks after touring police departments in Harare.
“May I take this opportunity to warn land barons who are in the habit of wantonly parcelling out pieces of land to unsuspecting home seekers without the approval of local authorities that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” he said.
Dr Chombo’s sentiments come after Government intensified war on land barons, politicians and co-operative chairpersons who are illegally selling State land to unsuspecting home seekers and had instructed police to start the probe into such land deals.
He toured various police departments including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters building which is still under construction in Harare
Dr Chombo was accompanied by Commissioner-General Dr Augustine Chihuri and senior police officers.
He warned errant motorists that the police would not hesitate to arrest them.
Furthermore, he expressed concern over schoolchildren who are abusing drugs.
“Allow me to warn errant motorists that the police will descend on them heavily, especially those with a penchant for drinking and driving, particularly during the forthcoming Heroes and Defence Forces Holiday.
“On a similar note, we are now experiencing disturbing incidents of schoolchildren who are abusing drugs. As a country, we will not brook such moral decadence,” he said.
Dr Chombo said the tour of the force’s departments had accorded him an opportunity to appreciate the essential role played by the various departments within the ZRP and challenges militating against their operations.
He said besides these challenges, he had also noted what the force was doing to ensure that peace and security prevail.
“I wish to highlight that without a physical interaction with the departments, it is always difficult to comprehend how you have been able to remarkably execute your duties without the necessary tools and wherewithal. I agree with you, Dr A. Chihuri, that there is urgent need to mobilise the relevant arms of Government to provide the police with sufficient resources to enhance the effective and efficient maintenance of law and order in the country,” Dr Chombo said.
He noted a number of incomplete projects such as the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and blocks of flats at Tomlinson Depot that needed urgent attention.
Online Reporter