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Limpret Moyo and Mashudu Mambo, Sunday News Reporters
POLICE in Bulawayo have expressed concern over the increase in the number of murder cases in the province amid revelations that there has been a decrease in general crime.
Speaking at the Client Service Charter Re-launch yesterday, the officer commanding police in Bulawayo, Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba, said although there was a decrease in the crime in the city, police were still worried by the continued spiral of murder cases. He said police in the province have managed to reduce general crime by 16 percent for the period between January and July this year compared to the same period last year which translates to a 1 299 case reduction from 8 298 last year.
“However, of major concern is the increase in murder cases. In 2016 we received nine cases of murder compared to 20 that we have already received. This is a very worrying trend. It is important that we must practice restraint in times of disagreement because some of these murder cases emanate from domestic violence and ordinary disagreements among friends.
“Other crimes of concern which recorded an increase are theft of motor vehicles (40 percent) and theft from motor vehicles (five percent). On robbery (armed) we recorded a decline of seven percent and also robbery (plain) (16 percent), rape adult a decline of 35 percent and rape juvenile a decline of 31 percent. Theft recorded a decrease of 17 percent while unlawful entry and theft recorded a decrease of 20 percent,” said Snr Asst Comm Mutamba.
Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said it was the police’s desire to keep on improving service delivery so that the county remained peaceful.
Online Reporter