Church calls for ‘Unembeza’ in the fight against armed robberies

AMID a troubling surge in armed robberies, the Council of Churches in Africa (CCA) has called on Zimbabweans to embrace unembeza—a deep sense of conscience and virtue—to help curb crime.

Unembeza is a powerful concept that extends beyond the notions of right and wrong and is considered the essence of humanity.

The church’s appeal comes in the wake of a shocking robbery in which armed assailants targeted a funeral parlour. A gang of four robbers, armed with pistols and machetes, executed a daring midnight heist at a funeral parlour in Bulawayo’s Kelvin Industrial Area, making off with R20 000 and US$3 000.

The criminals terrorised staff at Kings and Queens Funeral Services, causing mayhem and sparking widespread concern about safety and security across the nation.

“It’s a grim reminder of the challenges Zimbabweans are currently facing, as crime rates soar, leaving many anxious about their daily lives,” said CCA leader Bishop Dr Rocky Moyo.

In a heartfelt statement, Dr Moyo emphasised the need for unity and resilience within communities.

“We must draw from our history and cultural resilience. In times of crisis, it’s crucial to come together, support one another, and find strength in our shared values and beliefs,” he said.

Dr Moyo expressed alarm over the rising number of armed robberies, particularly in Bulawayo, and described them as a coordinated effort.

“Most of these crimes are organised. It is an open secret that some involve our own men and women in uniform. We cannot allow this to continue. The church will keep praying, and people must return to the church if we are to see an end to armed robberies and other crimes affecting the nation,” he said.

He urged law enforcement officers to fully execute their duties without fear or favour, especially in investigating and arresting armed robbery suspects.

“Police must be firm, especially when dealing with armed robberies. We are deeply concerned about the influx of weapons such as guns. Where are these suspects getting them from? Such crimes are rampant in South Africa, and for a peaceful country like Zimbabwe to experience them at this scale is frightening,” said Dr Moyo.

He called for greater cooperation between Zimbabwean law enforcement and neighbouring countries to curb gun-related crimes.

“Robbers have become so petty that they are now targeting funeral parlours and churches. This is a clear sign that they have no regard for sacred institutions,” he said.

Dr Moyo revealed that the church and police have established a partnership to fight crime.

This collaboration aims to enhance community safety through a coordinated approach that combines law enforcement efforts with the moral guidance of religious institutions.

“Our faith teaches us to be good stewards of our community. This partnership with the police allows us to actively contribute to promoting peace and justice in Bulawayo. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of our fellow citizens,” he said.

The initiative seeks to build trust and foster cooperation between law enforcement and the community through dialogue and shared goals.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi expressed deep concern over the rise in armed robbery cases in Bulawayo.

Between December 2023 and February 2024, the city recorded 358 robbery cases. This number rose to 420 during the same period from December 2024 to February 2025.

“During the period December 2023 to February 2024, 23 robbery suspects were arrested in Bulawayo. This number increased to 34 arrests during the corresponding period in 2024. Additionally, eight firearms and property valued at US$17,754 and ZAR 20,920 were recovered,” said Comm Nyathi.

He noted that the criminals come from diverse backgrounds and urged the public to assist in identifying them.

“The public should remain alert and report any suspicious criminal activities to the nearest police station or through the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800197. The police are still investigating the use of various weapons in robberies, which is why the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage is pushing for amendments to the Firearms Act. This includes addressing the use of toy or fake guns so that criminals do not exploit legal loopholes to evade justice,” said Comm Nyathi.

“These crimes negatively impact individuals, families, and communities. The police are committed to taking decisive action to combat robberies. The Zimbabwe Republic Police has established specialised crack teams to tackle these crimes, leading to the arrest of several robbery suspects.”