Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube in Ntabazinduna
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has challenged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to embrace digital technology and mainstream adoption of advanced policing practices to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal activities across the country.
Officiating at the pass-out parade of Intake 1 of 2024 at the Ntabazinduna Police Training Academy yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the evolving nature of crime demands a professional, technologically equipped and community-oriented police service.
He underscored the need for continuous skills development, urging the new officers to uphold patriotism, loyalty and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
As the country fortifies national borders and tightens internal security systems, President Mnangagwa said everyone should be persistently vigilant against all criminal elements within and beyond.
“You are now equipped in the fundamentals of law enforcement and trained to handle complex frontiers of the modern criminal domain,” he said.
“Aspects related to violent crimes, networks of cybercrime and threats of terrorism are skills you must continually improve on, following the initial basic training you acquired during this course.
“Knowledge and tools of the trade are only as good as those that yield it. From Zambezi to Limpopo, Plumtree to Mutare, we need police officers, men and women who are patriotic, loyal, skilled and committed to demonstrating unwavering professionalism,” said the President.
“You, our graduates and new officers, have the duty to serve the communities and people of Zimbabwe, with humility and selflessness.”
Addressing concerns over road traffic accidents and lawlessness on the country’s highways, President Mnangagwa directed the police and other traffic management agencies to urgently adopt contemporary technologies to enhance efficiency and safety.
“Meanwhile, our roads and highways are vital cogs for commerce, trade and community connectivity as well as cultural exchanges. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and other road traffic agencies are directed to urgently deploy contemporary technologies including the use of Artificial Intelligence, drones, surveillance cameras, and electronic ticketing to increase efficiency and safety along all transport corridors,” he said.
“Recklessness and aggressive driving that often rob us of precious lives must be met with the necessary weight and force of the law. Citizens are called upon to obey traffic laws and play their part to restore order and accountability on our roads.”
President Mnangagwa said peace, unity and security remain central to Zimbabwe’s development aspirations.
“Peace, unity and security are fundamental pre-requisites for sustainable development, for accelerated industrialisation and modernisation. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and other stakeholders in the security sector are called upon to guard and promote the ongoing development trajectory,” he said.
Warning against criminal networks, he declared: “Criminal syndicates of any kind should never find sanctuary within our jurisdiction. All forms of deviant behaviour such as corruption, fraud, money laundering, should be expunged, while perpetrators of gender-based violence, among other vices, must be timely prosecuted towards a crime-free Zimbabwe.”
President Mnangagwa further called for stronger collaboration within the criminal justice system, commending the existing cooperation between the police, prosecution authorities and the judiciary.
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