derick.khumalo
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
[email protected]
ZINDELE villagers under Chief Marupi in Matabeleland South have welcomed the opening of a new police base, saying the facility will bring police services closer to the community and improve response to crime.
The ZRP Zindele Base was officially opened at Zindele Business Centre following an initiative started by the community in 2024.
Before the establishment of the base, residents had to travel about 70km to access services at the nearest police station, ZRP Collen Bawn.
Officer-in-Charge of ZRP Collen Bawn, Inspector Thabolethu Sibanda, said the new base would help curb stock theft and illegal mining activities in the area.
“The base will help reduce stock theft cases in the area as the police are now proximate to the community. It will also help curb illegal gold panning and reduce cases of mining along riverbanks. As police, we are proud of this initiative,” she said.
The initiative received support from Gwanda South Constituency Member of Parliament Honourable Fisani Moyo, who assisted with resources, while community members contributed by moulding bricks.
The base was previously housed at Zindele Primary School.
Senior Village Head Mr Thomas Dube thanked the police and the community for the initiative, saying residents hoped the presence of police officers would help reduce criminal activities.
“We would like to thank the police for this initiative. As the community, we anticipated that the opening of this base will reduce criminal activities,” he said.
Ward 15 Councillor Emmanuel Ndlovu said the establishment of the police base was in line with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which seeks to promote development across the country.
Officer Commanding Gwanda District, Chief Superintendent Bekezela Ndlovu, said the construction of police bases was part of community policing initiatives aimed at addressing crime.
She said the Zindele community had embraced the initiative as part of efforts to curb stock theft allegedly perpetrated by cattle rustlers from Shanyawugwe, Johndeep and Ngoma areas.
“We urge all villagers to practise proper mining recognised by the law. Illegal mining has created a number of problems within the community as it has destroyed our land and rivers,” she said.
Chief Superintendent Ndlovu thanked sponsors and community members who contributed towards the construction of the base, saying the initiative resonated with President Mnangagwa’s mantra, “Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.”
She said the 70km distance between ZRP Collen Bawn and Zindele had previously delayed police response to crime scenes.
“The distance made it difficult for police to respond promptly to some incidents. With the establishment of this base, police are now closer to the people and response times are expected to improve,” she said.
The new base will also enable residents to report crimes and access services such as stock clearance closer to their homes.
