Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube, [email protected]
MORE than 200 pastors from different church denominations attended a two-day Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Christian and Community Police Network (CCPN) workshop in Bulawayo, in a move aimed at strengthening community policing and crime prevention efforts.
Provincial Chaplain Inspector Samuel Mataka said the workshop was organised to recruit and equip church leaders to work alongside the police in promoting safer communities.
“We have just held a two-day workshop where we recruited pastors from across church denominations in Bulawayo. It is a community policing initiative that was launched by the Commissioner-General of Police on 4 August 2010, with the objective of fighting crime through the church,” said Insp Mataka.
He said the programme is built on the shared responsibility of pastors and police officers in building morally upright and law-abiding communities.
“As much as pastors are fighting against sin through the Bible, we are also fighting crime as police officers. We believe we share the same mandate, which is why this partnership is important,” he said.
Inspector Mataka said the workshop exceeded expectations, attracting more than 200 pastors over the two days.
“The response was overwhelming and shows the willingness of the church to partner with law enforcement in creating peaceful communities,” he said.
He said the programme seeks to equip pastors with knowledge and skills on crime prevention so that they can educate their congregations and encourage cooperation with the police.
“We use platforms such as churches for crime awareness campaigns because pastors already have established congregations. Some members of the community are afraid to approach police officers but feel comfortable speaking to their pastors. Through this partnership, pastors can help bridge that gap,” he said.
Inspector Mataka noted that while the CCPN has been operating in other provinces since its launch in 2010, Bulawayo had lagged behind in implementing the initiative, making the successful workshop a significant milestone for the city.
He said pastors joining the network undergo a vetting process to ensure credibility and accountability.
The process includes verification that applicants lead recognised churches, possess theological training and have no criminal records.
Inspector Mataka encouraged interested church leaders who wish to join the initiative to visit the provincial office at Ross Camp or contact his office for guidance on the recruitment process.
The Christian and Community Police Network is one of the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s community policing programmes aimed at fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community institutions in the fight against crime and social ills.
Londile Moyo