Support Unit nabs 29 000, recovers guns

other various goods.
Commissioner Oliver Chibage said the unit embarked on effective anti-stock theft and anti-poaching patrols, border control duties and other numerous operations.
“Consequently, these vigorous drives culminated in the arrest of 29 740 people for various crimes such as armed robberies, stock theft, illegal dealing in minerals, smuggling, poaching as well as illegal border crossing,” he said.
Comm Chibage said the unit recovered 23 guns, 6 912 rounds of ammunition, one grenade, 246,6kg of copper, 3,329kg of mbanje, seven elephant tusks, five cars and five bales of second hand clothes, among others items.
Comm Chibage was speaking at the Support Unit end of year party on Wednesday.
He said this year, Support Unit completed a water project, piggery project, layed irrigation pipes, purchased four cars for operational and command use as well as 22 computers for the new open learning centre.
Comm Chibage said the unit acquired a Light Emitting Diode (LED) screen, a device which was in tandem with the modern trends of information dissemination.
He said this would go a long way in transforming and enhancing the corporate image of the force.
Comm Chibage urged police commanders to continue exploring more avenues in the development of the human resource base as it is the most priced asset of the force.
He said the unit continued to dominate in most sporting disciplines as 34 of its members scooped 12 gold, 13 silver and 11 bronze medals at the recent 2011 Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation games.
“Indeed, their flawless and formidable performance made them true ambassadors not only for this province, but for ZRP and the nation at large,” Comm Chibage said.
He said it was essential for all police officers to demonstrate a high degree of patriotism and loyalty to the country and the people.
“Definitely, the need to jealously safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity is of paramount importance taking into cognizant the impending national plebiscites,” said Comm Chibage.
“More so, we should be wary of unruly and incorrigible elements who want to undermine these democratic processes by engaging in political violence in order to discredit these noble activities.” Comm Chibage urged the Support Unit to put deterrent strategies to effectively maintain public order.