adminand general elections, an official said last Friday.
Officer Commanding the province Senior Assistant Commissioner Plaxedes Gezha said this at a Christmas party held in Bindura.
“We are adequately prepared for the impending elections and we have already trained Guruve District in public order management in preparation for the referendum and the general elections.
“To date, all police officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector and below have undergone training at Mashonaland Central Professional Updating Centre.
“The training is aimed at equipping officers with requisite knowledge and skills to conduct successful elections.
“We are sprucing our act at all levels, pro-actively consulting with stakeholders and calling for a no to political violence,” she said.
Provincial Governor and Resident Minister, Martin Dinha, applauded to the police for reducing crime in the province.
“I am particularly happy with the crime rate statistics, you have done us proud by maintaining your vibrancy.
“Mashonaland Central Police has steadily grown from strength to strength, I wish to ensure all the necessary support before, during and after elections,” he said.
Police Commissioner Solomon Mubatapasango was the guest of honour. Addressing hundreds of police officers drawn from the province’s eight districts, Comm Mubatapasango said it was gratifying to note a crime reduction by 899 cases compared to last year.
He said stocktheft decreased from 1 328 to 940 this year, rapes on adults from 85 to 66, rape on juveniles from 218 to 189, theft from 3 070 to 2 783, plain robbery from 128 to 99, theft from vehicles 88 to 79 and fraud from 218 to 213.
Comm Mubatapasango said it was saddening to note that a total of 180 cases of road accidents were recorded in which 60 people were killed in the province this year.
“Despite numerous roadblocks, police operations, blitz and patrols, fatal accidents have been on the surge in the province.
“It is saddening to learn that half of 60 people who perished are from two accidents,” he said.
Police in Mashonaland have forged a synergy with the business community in the province to form the Business Against Crime Forum.
Online Reporter