Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
Herald Reporter
POLICE have intensified efforts to restore order and curb crime in Harare’s central business district, warning the public against loitering in areas prone to criminal activities.
The crime awareness campaign, held in partnership with the Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe (BAFCOZ) and the Christian Community Police Network (CCPN), saw police officers engage motorists, businesspeople and the public on the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities.
Police also used the campaign to encourage businesses and residents to work closely with law enforcement agencies in fighting crime.
Kopje Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Chief Inspector Fanuel Chauke, encouraged vendors operating along Kaguvi Street to desist from duping customers seeking vehicle spare parts.
“Police in Harare are on an operation ‘Kumba Vose’ targeting people loitering around the CBD for criminal activities,” said Chief Insp Chauke.
He warned that police would arrest anyone found obstructing pedestrians on pavements or touting for clients at shop entrances, bus termini, commuter omnibus ranks and other public places.
“Anyone found blocking people on pavements touting for clients at shop entrances, including those along Kaguvi Street targeting vehicle spare parts, will be arrested.
“They will be charged for obstructing people,” he said.
Chief Insp Chauke said theft from motor vehicles, shoplifting and robbery cases had been increasing, prompting police to intensify operations aimed at restoring order in the city centre.
“We are urging vehicle spare parts clients to buy from the shops where they receive receipts and avoid those operating on pavements.
“We want order at ranks, streets and shopping malls,” he said.
Harare central district BAFCOZ chairperson Apostle Benjamin Joseph Murata called on business operators to support police efforts by providing information that could lead to the arrest of criminals operating around their premises.
He also encouraged businesses to bank their money promptly and avoid disclosing sensitive financial information to employees.
“As the business community, let us consider assisting police with information that may lead to the arrest of people engaging in criminal activities around our workplaces. Some businesspeople have been attracting armed robbers by keeping large volumes of money at their business premises and homes; let us avoid that as well as sharing financial information with every employee,” he said.
Apostle Murata also called on business owners to comply with Government and local authority regulations as part of broader efforts to create a safe and orderly business environment.
CCPN Harare Central chairperson Reverend Samuel Mudzonga encouraged the public to uphold moral values, saying crime prevention also requires personal integrity and responsible conduct.
“It is disheartening to learn that some of the criminals loitering around the CBD streets are worshippers. As we fight crime, let us consider our moral values and let our religion not be for Sundays only.
“Let us clean the city by cleaning our minds as well through our faith in God and maintain our moral values,” he said.
Police Victim Friendly Unit officer, Constable Sylvia Dengu, appealed to couples and families to shun domestic violence and substance abuse, warning that many violent crimes are linked to drug abuse.
She referred to a recent domestic violence incident in Eastview in which a man allegedly set his cabin house on fire after stabbing his wife and two children.
“Cases of domestic violence have been increasing and some of these cases are a result of drugs and substance abuse by both men and women.
“Some rape cases are a result of people taking sex enhancing drugs. This is so disheartening. Let us value our couples, our families and our Ubuntu,” she said.
The awareness campaign forms part of ongoing efforts by the police and its partners to strengthen community participation in crime prevention and improve safety in Harare’s CBD.
