Police launch operation against crime

Acting Officer Commanding police in the Midlands Assistant Commissioner Learn Ncube told invited guests that 105 robbery cases were recorded this year compared to 96 cases during the period under review, an increase of about nine percent.
He said there was also an increase of one percent in cases of theft where 1 153 cases were recorded for this year’s January and February period compared to the same period last year, which registered 1 139.

The highest crime rate percentage increase was recorded in fraud cases, which shot up by 11 percent. Last year, during the period under review, Midlands recorded 123 cases of fraud compared to 137 this year.
There was, however, a drop of 32 percent in armed robbery cases this year with 17 recorded compared to 25 last year.

Unlawful entry and theft cases dropped by six percent this January-February review period. The recorded cases dropped from 595 to 558.
Asst Comm Ncube said the offences highlighted were sometimes perpetrated directly on business or indirectly when workers who are key players in the production chain fell victim.

“An analysis of crimes with a direct impact on business from police records gives a really worrying picture. It is, however, gratifying to see this wide spectrum of economic players responding and conjoining to the single objective of eradicating crime in partnership with the police,” he said.
Yesterday’s launch, held at a local hotel, attracted a spectrum of economic players in the province.

In attendance were representatives from the financial sector, retail business, private security, cotton industry, steel and cement manufacturing, transport, agriculture and hospitality.
Asst Comm Ncube said there was a need for the police and business to join hands in fighting crime in a world where criminals were becoming more sophisticated by

using latest technology in committing crime.
“The Business Against Crime Forum is indeed aimed at creating a free environment as benefits of an enhanced cooperation and mutual relationships among stakeholders. If fully implemented, it becomes one of the most effective avenues to more viability of businesses, as leakages through criminal actions will be sealed.

The acting Midlands police boss said the police’s broader vision remained the reduction of crime in Zimbabwe.
He said the vision could only be made possible when the business community played a pivotal role in introducing systems and procedures that reduce criminal activities.

Earlier, an interim executive to steer the new forum was elected into office.
The interim executive which would be in office for six months would be led by chairperson, Mr Martin Chiriga, a retired police officer now in charge of Unki Mine’s security department.

He will be deputised by ex-school teacher, Gweru businessman, Mr Douglas Kwande, managing director of supermarket chain, DCK Supermarkets.
Ms Rumbidzai Kanyi, another former police officer now employed by Steelmakers in Redcliff was elected treasurer.
The interim executive has seven committee members posts picked from a spectrum of businesses.

Former Midlands Governor Cde Cephas Msipa was appointed patron of the Midlands chapter of the Business Against Crime Forum.
Cde Msipa urged the interim executive to be committed in their new roles and help the police reduce crime in the province.
One contributor urged the police to embrace technology by creating a website that would help even bring on board youths to help in the fight against crime.

“If you create a website and even a Facebook account, this will help the youths be part of the crime fighting system. Most youths often find it difficult to make use of the police suggestion boxes as they do identify with the old system of writing letters. I also appeal to the police to be more professional in their conduct. This will help enhance their image and restore credibility. The levels of indiscipline are really worrying within our police force. We now find police officers smoking in public and at times you find them in places you least expect to find them. We need to address the issues of discipline within our police force, if we are to reduce crime and

help the force regain its respect of yester year,”he said.