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in society and remain resolute in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, said yesterday.
Speaking at a pass-out parade of 315 policemen and women at Ntabazinduna Training Depot, Dr Sibanda, who was the reviewing officer, commended the police for maintaining a peaceful environment despite the challenges the force was facing.
“I am gratified to mention that owing to ZRP’s unwavering stance against crime, Zimbabwe stands out as a peaceful country. Regrettably, it is disheartening to note that despite the peace and tranquility that we enjoy in the country, the police has been incessantly subjected to baseless criticism by some misguided elements in our society,” said Dr Sibanda.
“Notwithstanding such criticisms, the ZRP should remain resolute in safeguarding the sovereignty of our country as well as maintaining a firm stance against all forms of crime.”
Dr Sibanda said the police should be applauded for formulating people oriented programmes despite the criticism.
Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri was present at the pass-out parade.
Of the 315 police constables, 231 were male while 84 were female and 15 of them were presented with best recruits certificates.
They graduated after undergoing six- months training which covered subjects such as police duties and investigations, first aid, public order and disorder management, human rights and use of firearms, political history and community policing.
Dr Sibanda commended the police force for “standing by” the country’s values.
“The ZRP continues to expose their members to history of the country, including the protracted liberation struggle and this is reflected by the inclusion of the Political History of Zimbabwe in their training curriculum and touring liberation war shrines in our neighbouring countries. This is invaluable as it inculcates a sense of loyalty and patriotism among policemen,” said Dr Sibanda.
However, Dr Sibanda condemned corruption in some sections of the society, saying it had become a retrogressive scourge.
“Let me remind today’s graduates that the ZRP is the vanguard of discipline, peace, good morals, ethics and values. You should stand firm and shun all forms of corruption,” he said.
Dr Sibanda also urged the recruits to emulate and tap from the experience in the police force and ensure there is peace during the referendum and harmonised elections scheduled for this year.
He commended the police for discharging their duties even with limited fiscal support and challenged the Government to avail the required resources to enable the police to combat crime.
Dr Sibanda urged the graduates to take police training as the basic foundation for further learning.
Both the ZRP and country’s national flags were raised at half-mast in honour of National Hero, Cde Edson Ncube, who will be buried today at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. The pass-out parade started with a parade inspection by Dr Sibanda.
Later on after the main speech, there was a display by the police cycle unit in front of hundreds of guests that came to witness the pass-out parade.
Present were officer commanding Bulawayo Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Steven Mutamba, officer commanding Matabeleland North Province Snr Asst Comm Norman Sibanda, Snr Asst Comm Justice Chengeta, the Chief Staffing Officer Human Resources, Commander of One Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Thomas Moyo, officers commanding different units in the police force and officials from different Government departments.
Online Reporter