Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has acquired an additional fleet of motorcycles to bolster traffic enforcement, crime-fighting operations and patrols across the country.
The all-terrain motorcycles will be deployed to police stations nationwide to improve scene attendance, crime management, general and targeted patrols, as well as efforts to curb reckless driving on the country’s roads.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the development in a statement.
“The Commissioner-General of Police, Stephen Mutamba, has commissioned a batch of motorcycles for urban policing, rural patrols and traffic enforcement throughout the country,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
“The all-purpose terrain motorcycles will be allocated to police stations for effective management of scene attendance, crime management, general and specific patrols and tackling reckless driving conduct on the roads.
“The ZRP implores Zimbabweans to cooperate with police officers performing duties while riding the motorcycles.”
The latest acquisition forms part of the police service’s ongoing modernisation programme aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and improving service delivery.
In January this year, the ZRP also acquired high-powered boats, motorcycles and additional patrol vehicles to strengthen law enforcement, emergency response and crime-fighting capabilities nationwide.
The equipment was strategically deployed to police provinces and stations to enhance patrols, rescue missions and rapid-response operations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Commissioner-General Mutamba commissioned several boats for deployment along major waterways, where they are being used for rescue operations, water escorts and patrol duties.
Motorcycles introduced earlier this year were assigned to farming communities, rural districts and central business districts across all provinces, enabling officers to respond swiftly to incidents in difficult-to-access locations.
“As part of the modernisation drive, the ZRP has also commissioned new vehicles for the Police Canine Unit, which plays a critical role in tracking suspects, managing public order situations, detecting drugs and conducting searches during crowd control operations,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
The police service has also strengthened its specialised response capabilities. In December last year, the ZRP launched a dedicated Special Tactics Troop, a highly trained rapid-response unit modelled on elite police formations such as South Africa’s Special Task Force, Kenya’s Recce Company and the United Kingdom’s Specialist Firearms Command.
The unit is designed to respond to high-risk incidents including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder and smuggling.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over violent crime and a number of high-profile criminal cases that have heightened public demand for enhanced security.
In a further boost to road safety and anti-crime operations, Commissioner-General Mutamba recently deployed three additional rebranded vehicles to the National Highway Patrol Unit, increasing the fleet to nine vehicles as police intensify efforts to curb highway crime and promote safer roads.
Peter Tanyanyiwa