Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Sunday News Reporter
POLICE in Matabeleland South Province have launched a crime awareness campaign across its districts to enhance law and order, as well as tackling teenage pregnancies and child marriages.
The campaign is aimed at curbing common criminal concerns such as drug and substance abuse, murder, rape, stocktheft, gender based violence, robbery, theft, among others.
The police are working closely with traditional leaders in the campaigns.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube said they were determined to strengthen co-operation with all stakeholders towards elimination of criminal activities, which are a threat to development.
“We have launched a campaign to raise community awareness about crime in a bid to fight criminal activities in the district,” she said.
“Among the issues of focus during the campaign are child marriages, teenage pregnancies and drug and substance abuse. “Drug abuse is a growing public health and security problem in Zimbabwe, particularly, among the youths.”
Insp Dube said lives of youngsters are being destroyed as a result of child marriages and teenage pregnancy.
These are being perpetrated by community members and it is up to the community members to fight such behaviours, she added.
“During the campaigns we are also taking time to educate the public on these criminal activities, what the law says and the possible consequences,” said Insp Dube.
The interventions come at a time when there are concerns over young people, who increasingly engage in criminal activities.
She said the awareness campaign has roped in various police departments, which include the Victim Friendly Unit, and Anti-Stock theft and CID Drugs to ensure that adequate information is disseminated in communities.
Insp Dube said information dissemination is one of the crucial strategies of fighting crime.
“We conduct crime awareness campaigns as they are a tool to prevent crime in our beloved “rainbow” province, thereby contributing to the nation’s fight against crime,” she said.
“With regards to stock theft, we encourage members of the community to pen their cattle on a daily basis, brand their cattle with personal and dip tank brand marks and to do clear brands, cattle herding is also one way of reducing stock theft.”
Insp Dube said the campaigns also provide opportunity to educate the public on murder cases, robberies and any other crime that may be prevalent in the province while fostering positive relationships between the police and the public.
“We get them to understand us as we understand their concerns, complaints and compliments,” she said.
Insp Dube said the police will continue to conduct awareness campaigns throughout the province as the fight to reduce crime continues. She urged communities to take up various community policing strategies.
Speaking during one of the awareness campaigns in Simbumbu area in Gwanda, Assistant Inspector Jonah Gondo from the Victim Friendly Unit urged people to report rape cases as quickly as possible to ensure that victims are assisted holistically both medically and legally.
He urged men and women to report gender based violence.
“As police, we urge members of the community to shun domestic violence as it disturbs unity and the general family fabric. You are advised to solve differences amicably rather than resorting to violence,” he said.
“Domestic violence may lead to murder, hence it must be condemned. In this regard, we encourage men and women to report any gender-based violence they may face.
“Concerning murder cases, villagers are encouraged to respect life and avoid carrying dangerous weapons in public places while men were encouraged to share with others whenever they have issues that need to be addressed to avoid committing suicide.”
Insp Gondo urged members of the public to expose criminals and not protect them.
@DubeMatutu
