Crimes of passion increase

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
POLICE have between January and June recorded 100 215 cases of major crimes, a two percent decline compared to 102 288 cases during the same period last year, with a significant reduction in murder and armed robberies.Speaking during a pass-out parade for 542 graduands at Ntabazinduna Police Training Depot yesterday, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, who was the reviewing officer, said during the first half they recorded a seven percent decrease in murder cases while armed robberies went down by 31 percent.

“I am delighted to highlight that crimes of concern decreased by two percent from 102 288 cases recorded between January and June last 2012, compared to 100 215 cases received during the same period this year.

“It is important to note that significant decreases were recorded in murder, theft of motor vehicles and armed robbery which decreased by seven percent, eight percent and 37 percent respectively,” he said.

Comm-Gen Chihuri expressed concern over the increase in rape and stocktheft cases.
“We handled a six percent increase in rape cases for juveniles and three percent for adults while stocktheft also went up by five percent and that is certainly an issue of grave concern to us.

“It is also disturbing to note that crimes of passion and cases of rape against defenceless juveniles continue to rise,” he said.
Comm-Gen said they would continue with awareness campaigns in the fight against crime. He also called on stakeholders to complement police efforts in enhancing the protection of vulnerable children in the society.

Comm-Gen Chihuri commended police and stakeholders for playing a key role that saw the country co-hosting a peaceful and successful 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in Victoria Falls.

“I would like to commend all stakeholders who joined hands with police in their remarkable contributions which ensured our successful co-hosting of the UNWTO general assembly with Zambia. Indeed through this landmark event, the country was able to showcase its numerous tourist resort areas that are endowed with majestic beauty embedded in our God given flora and fauna,” he said.

Comm-Gen Chihuri said through the UNWTO, Zimbabweans demonstrated to the whole world that they were peace-loving, hospitable and progressive people.

Zimbabwe and Zambia co-hosted the event in Victoria Falls and Livingstone between 24 and 29 August.
Comm-Gen Chihuri challenged the new police recruits to foster sound partnership with communities in fighting the malady of crime on deployment in line with the ZRP community policing programme.

“It is important that as graduands take up their posts at various police stations throughout the country, they should tirelessly engender cordial relations with members of the public as they carry out their duties in accordance with the ZRP’s code of conduct, rules and regulations,” said the police chief.

The recruits comprising 382 males and 160 females completed a six-month training programme whose courses included community policing, public order management, first aid, foot and arms drill and weapon handling.

Other courses in the curriculum were basic accounting, local language studies, computer fundamentals, law of evidence, police powers and human rights.

Comm Gen Chihuri also commissioned cottages at Ntabazinduna Training Depot.
The cottages with 11 self contained rooms were constructed to address the problem of accommodation for guests.

The event was marked by entertainment in the form of scintillating performances by the police band and displays members of the ZRP Cycle Unit.

Among those who attended the function were the provincial administrator for Matabeleland North, Ms Latiso Dlamini, traditional leaders and several senior police officers.