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Crime Reporter
FOLLOWING a surge in robbery cases nationwide, security companies are teaming up with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit to boost security for cash-in-transit deliveries and other operations.
The roles of the Support Unit include public order management, major disaster and hostage situation management, protection of key/vital installations and VIPs, border patrols, anti-stock theft and sub-aqua duties.
Last Thursday, The Herald witnessed heavily armed officers from the Support Unit conducting duties at a security company in Southerton, Harare.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the developments.
“We have always said those who want police services in terms of training and any other assistance, they can always approach the Commissioner-General of Police Godwin Matanga.
“And if there are any security companies who have requested the services of the police, there is nothing sinister or bad about that. As the police, we are available to beef up security whenever we are requested to do so,” he said.
At a Crime Liaison Committee (CLC) workshop that was held in Harare last Friday, police officers were urged to adapt and enhance their strategies in response to evolving threats from criminals.
The workshop brought together officers-in-charge in the city as well as CLC chairpersons from the province, district, and station levels.
The Officer Commanding Harare, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, Comm Nyathi and CLC chairperson for Harare Province, Dr Nathaniel Madzivanyika, also attended the workshop.
Said Comm Chikunguru: “Criminals are growing increasingly cunning and daring, employing tactics that challenge our traditional methods of policing. Just recently, we witnessed a brazen $4 million bank heist committed in broad daylight. This incident underscores the urgent need for us to adapt and enhance our strategies in response to these evolving threats”.
He called for cooperation with the CLC in passing on criminal intelligence, especially on who is doing what, where, when, and how in the communities.
“Help us spread the word on crime prevention measures. Together, we must create a united front to safeguard our neighbourhoods and restore a sense of security for all our residents. The skills you have learned during this workshop are invaluable. I urge you to apply them in your respective roles.
“It cannot be stressed enough that your committees should not be a haven of conflict and discord. If you spend time-fighting over positions, it undermines the entire purpose of your service,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Madzivanyika said he was sure that the conference had opened up a lot of avenues for communication and synergies between the police and residents.
“This requires strong relationships and trust between the police and the public. It is quite clear to us that the trust between the police and the public has become once more essential to effective policing in today’s interconnected world.
“The interconnectedness in the world encompasses both the online space as well as the physical space which is now awash with lots of sophisticated crimes of concern in our midst,” he said.
Dr Madzivanyika applauded the police for the scientific approach in identifying that a crime-free society can be achieved, through engagement dialogue and participation of members of the public in their national quest to eradicate all forms of crime, from rape cases to murder cases, domestic violence, drugs and substance abuse, armed robberies and corruption to mention, but a few.
He said community policing initiatives can also play an important role in helping deal with threats of terrorism in the country by providing relevant information on saboteurs, both economic and perpetrators of civil unrest.
“We should press on emphasising on community policing to aid patrols and resource mobilisation as this will help achieve a high level of public trust and a strong sense of safety and security among the residents of Harare. Those who have voluntarily joined forces with ZRP in the fight against crime in Harare and the country at large should exhibit high levels of commitment, trustworthiness, diligence, and discipline and shun corruption,” said Dr Madzivanyika.
He said every member of society has a role to play in combating crime.
“I am sure as much as I have a strong sense of trust in the ZRP service, you also may do and I hope as members of the public we should never forget that each and every one of us has a role to play in the prevention of crime. It is therefore, a duty for all of us to ensure that Law and Order is a necessity as we advance the community policing initiative today.
“We need to build trust with the communities we serve during the scary period of drugs and substance abuse where every headline of a local tabloid has a crime scene and murder is the order of the day,” Dr Madzivanyika said.
Online Reporter