Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
An alarming 11 percent surge in robberies and a 6 percent increase in road traffic accidents, resulting in 1 352 fatalities, have sounded the alarm for Zimbabwe’s police to devise and implement effective strategies to combat crime and boost public trust.
Addressing officers during this year’s ZRP Senior Officers’ Conference in Harare yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said it was disheartening to note that the conference had come at a time when the police had not been successful in meeting some of its set targets.
“The performance indicators for the organisation on the Whole of Government performance management system show that some areas need attention. As a matter of fact, the ministry has continued to receive numerous calls where concern has been raised regarding the state of policing in the country.
“The rise in general crime and particularly the fear of crime in various parts of the country keeps citizens apprehensive. Hence questions have continued to be posed seeking to find out what the police is doing. I therefore urge you to take advantage of platforms such as these to formulate concrete policing interventions.
“Furthermore, the monthly reports received from the Zimbabwe Republic Police indicated that during the periods January to August 2023 and January to August 2024 crime rose by 11 percent while traffic accidents increased by six percent with a total of 1 352 people losing their lives. Surely, we cannot afford to continue losing precious lives due to avoidable road carnage nor can we permit our country to devolve into a crime haven,” he said.
Recently, robbers pounced on a bank in Bulawayo vanishing with a heist of US$4 million, in what is arguably the country’s biggest robbery.
Apart from battling crime, police have also had to grapple with hit-and-run accidents recording in August 2024 alone, a total of 503 such accidents and only detecting 133.
“These statistics offer a very strong argument for a robust traffic management system to help in the policing of the traffic jungle and account for these callous offenders. It is pleasing to note that the police are conscious of the need to harness technology and deploy it in the management of traffic and other crimes in general.
“I heard that you are working on a digital transformation strategy to enhance the adoption of contemporary technologies. On our part as Government the road rehabilitation programme is moving with speed and the capacitation of police with requisite traffic management tools remains a key priority,” Minister Kazembe said.
Also of concern was the issue of pirate taxis popularly known as mushikashika that had become a menace on the country’s roads.
“Reckless driving by mushikashika operators should also continue to be dealt with and perpetrators brought to book. I am happy to report that your urgent request to have the national traffic fines schedule reviewed is receiving urgent attention.
“I am confident that this will bring an abrupt halt to the wanton disregard of the law by motorists.
“It is equally sad to note that cases of stock theft continue to rise and have since become a serious cause for national concern.”
Minister Kazembe said recent cases that occurred in Matabeleland North and Banket were a stark indication of how cattle rustlers have become brazen and are executing their criminal acts with reckless wantonness.
“In the same manner, the recent spate of high-profile armed robbery cases targeting businesses and residential premises also add to the fear of crime challenge. It has since become evident that these criminals are targeting businesses and residential areas where they know very well that they can get away with huge sums of money. Their intelligence network is phenomenal,” he said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage remained grateful for the phased resourcing of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, courtesy of the Second Republic.
“To that effect, the organisation recently received a brand-new batch of 500 vehicles. This is eloquent testimony that Government under the astute leadership of His Excellency Dr E D Mnangagwa, remains alive to the fact that peace and security as well as the institutions that ring-fence it, are an integral, component in the successful pursuit of national aspirations.
“Therefore, as resources continue to be deployed, the people of Zimbabwe have an increased legitimate expectation that we should guarantee safer communities,” Minister Kazembe said.
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