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with the murder of an inspector in Glen View on Sunday.
Chief police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Way-ne Bvudzijena last night confirmed the arrests, but could not disclose the figures.
Speaking on behalf of Police Commissioner-General Au-gustine Chihuri, Commissioner Charles Mfandaidza said police would descend heavily on political elements bent on making the country ungovernable.
He was addressing mourners at a funeral parade for Inspector Petros Mutedza (42), who was killed by suspected MDC-T supporters.
His colleague sustained injuries.
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The pair had gone to investigate an illegal meeting, which MDC-T youths were holding at Glen View 3 Shopping Cen-tre.
Declared Comm Mfandaidza: “Those who wish to live by the sword must be prepared to die by the sword.”
He said it was disturbing that some political parties and civic organisations that claim to be masters of democracy and peace were at the forefront of causing violence.
“As the organisation continues to lose its dedicated cadres who have either been killed or maimed during their tour of duty, it is my strong conviction that time has come for the Zimbabwe Republic Police to declare war against all unruly elements, be they criminals or misguided political malcontents.
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“The Zimbabwe Republic Police shall not and I repeat, shall not, sit on its laurels while innocent citizens of this country, let alone police officers are being decimated by uncouth opposition political elements in a naïve and imbecile attempt to make our country ungovernable,” said Comm Mfandaidza.
The same organisation and political parties, he said, were championing the demonisation of law enforcement agents as violators of human rights.
“Today there is deafening silence about this gruesome act of cold bloodied murder perpetrated by the same organisations. Does this then mean that police officers do not have human rights? Regrettably, maybe the crime our late police officer has committed is that of answering to the call of preserving law and order,” he said.
“To this end, all unscrupulous elements, be they armed robbers, carjackers or instigators and perpetrators of political violence should be warned that the ZRP shall not hesitate to defend its members with all its might from any such persons attempting to thwart or attack the police officers in the discharge of their constitutional mandate.”
He said the death of Insp Mutedza reminded them to be always vigilant in all their endeavours and be wary of these “pseudo-democratic elements” that were bent on sliding the country into anarchy through orgies of violence.
“Thus the challenge is upon us, to take the bull by its horns and let not his death be in vain,” he said.
“May I therefore reiterate that the Zimbabwe Republic Police will certainly employ all its unique capabilities and decisively deal with all undesirable elements bent on killing or attempting to kill police officers in the course of their duties.”
The duty of the force, Comm Mfandaidza said, was to maintain law and order in the country and this would be achieved through maximum co-operation by all patriotic citizens.
He said they were aware that the culprits were being harboured by some members of the public.
Comm Mfandaidza appealed for any information which would lead to the arrest of the culprits.
“Let me also warn any person harbouring such criminals that the long arm of the law is swifter than the feet of the traitor and it will soon catch up with them,” he said.
Investigations into the murder of Ins Petros Mutedza continued yesterday with police making more arrests.
“What I can only say is that we are on the ground carrying out massive investigations and I am not in a position to give you the number,” said Asst Comm Bvudzijena last night.
In a statement yesterday, MDC-T claimed that police had arrested more of its members, including Glen View Ward 32 councillor Tungamirai Madzokere.
The party maintained that Insp Mutedza was killed by unknown revellers at a liquor store in the suburb.
“Another MDC activist, Cynthia Manjoro and her brother were arrested at their Glen View home yesterday evening. The MDC could not ascertain the name of Cynthia’s brother.
“We understand that scores of MDC youths have been picked up today but their whereabouts are still unknown,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) has described the attack on police as “deplorable.”
In statement, JOMIC said the attack comes at a time when the body and police have established liaison committees to promote peace in the country.
“In the spirit of peace building and national healing, JOMIC wishes to caution various media against gratuitous apportionment of blame for this callous attack on uniformed officers as this tends to both politicise and trivialise violence against the police,” read the statement.
Jomic said political leaders should show maturity than inflame passions.
In a statement yesterday, the Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa condemned the killing of Insp Mutedza while performing his duties.
“We appeal to all political parties not to protect the perpetrators of such a crime. Experience in other countries teaches us to respect the lives of security officers just as we demand that security officers respect the lives of the public. The consequences of not giving such respect are too dire to contemplate.
“We call upon the police to restrain itself as it reacts to the killing of their colleague,” CPIA executive chairman Dr Leonard Kapungu said.
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