Online Reporter
Tafara Chibanda
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has declared war on armed robberies amid a wave of armed robberies around the country.
Speaking at the handover ceremony for the refurbished ZRP Warren Park Police Station, Officer Commanding Police in Harare Province, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, warned criminals that law enforcement agents will not relent in their efforts to restore order.
“It is no longer safe to keep large sums of money at home or at business premises as we are witnessing alarming cases of safes being blasted or removed with their contents.
“To those who choose the path of crime, let me be clear: the full weight of the law will find you.
“It won’t be long before we round you up and take you where you belong, behind bars,” he said.
Although overall crime in Harare North District saw a slight decrease last year with 19 376 reported cases compared to 19 474 in 2023, the province continues to grapple with violent crime, particularly armed robberies.
Comm Chikunguru urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity.
“We need community input on who is involved in these crimes, where they are occurring, and everything else, so that we can effectively respond,”he said.
“We will not tolerate corruption in any form, regardless of where it may arise within our ranks.”
He commended officers in Harare North District, led by Chief Superintendent Ushe, for their efforts in keeping crime figures stable, despite the growing challenge of violent robberies.
Comm Chikunguru said effective policing requires community involvement and trust.
He urged officers to foster good relations with the public and said arrests should not be seen as a conflict between police and society.
Quoting British law enforcement pioneer Robert Peel, he said: “The community are the police and the police are the community.”
He praised the Warren Park community and its Crime Liaison Committee for their continued support, noting past contributions such as vehicle donations, fencing and construction of police facilities.
“With the strong support we have witnessed today, I am confident we will succeed.
“Let criminals know that it’s no longer business as usual,” he said.
