Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
MANICALAND’S top police officer, Commissioner Charles Nhete, on Thursday met Chamutsa villagers to demand community action after a surge in stock theft, rape and murder cases in Buhera District.
Comm Nhete, the Officer Commanding Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Manicaland Province, addressed villagers, traditional leaders and stakeholders at Chamutsa Business Centre, saying serious crimes had risen to worrying levels and threatened peace and security in the area.
Stock theft remains the biggest challenge facing Buhera communities, he said, with criminals targeting cattle and other livestock and undermining livelihoods in the predominantly communal district.
Comm Nhete urged residents to report suspicious activity to police without delay and to stop shielding offenders.
The meeting forms part of a wider ZRP outreach programme in rural Manicaland aimed at strengthening cooperation between law enforcement and traditional structures.
Police have recorded multiple cases of rape and murder in Chamutsa and surrounding wards in recent months, prompting the high-level engagement.
Comm Nhete said patrols would be intensified and called on village heads to revive neighbourhood watch committees to curb livestock raids, often carried out at night.
Traditional leaders present pledged to assist police by mobilising villagers and sharing information on known suspects.
“We are receiving disturbing reports of rape cases from this area, including those of young girls as young as five years. All rape cases must be promptly reported to the police so that perpetrators are brought to book,” he said.
“Some of the cases involve parents abusing their daughters, and the cases are being suppressed. People must not block a rape victim from reporting her abusive breadwinner. When the breadwinner is jailed, the victim can be taken care of by the Government and other agencies.
“Drug and substance abuse is also a cause of concern in this area and is contributing to the rise in crime. Most murder cases here are being carried out by perpetrators using okapi knives. Okapi is a specific knife that is not allowed to be used. All those with those knives should dispose of them.
“Those receiving money or groceries from their children or relatives should not share the information, as this is causing an increase in unlawful entry cases. These criminals are also raping their victims, so we advise you against oversharing information even with close friends. As police, we get worried when crime rises in an area. We call upon the community to cooperate with police in fighting crime,” said Commissioner Nhete.
Chief Chamutsa appealed for police to set up a base at Chabata Business Centre and said the community is ready to assist with construction. He also appealed for the education and training of village heads on cattle clearance processes, as some thieves are using fake permits to move stolen cattle.
“We have a good working relationship with the police, and I am happy that the police have come to discuss ways to combat crime. There is a need to tighten the issuance of cattle clearance papers because some thieves are using fake documents to transport stolen vehicles even during the day.
“My community is ready to construct a police base so that ZRP is present in our area. We need regular police officers to complement the special constabulary officers we have. Some cases are not being reported because the nearest police station is too far,” said Chief Chamutsa.
Member of the House of Assembly, for Buhera South, Honourable Ngonidzashe Mudekunye, said cases of stock theft are negatively impacting the lives of people who rely on animal husbandry for survival.
“Buhera South is a very hot and arid area where there are no other meaningful commercial activities except animal rearing. Stock theft is adding salt to the wounds. The challenge is that some of the cattle rustlers are local people working with outsiders. We also want a police base at Chabata Business Centre for people to report,” said Cde Mudekunye.
The engagement forms part of ongoing community policing initiatives being rolled out by ZRP across Manicaland Province aimed at enhancing cooperation between police and communities in combating crime.
