VP Mphoko preaches peace

Lovemore Mataire Senior Reporter
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has said his portfolio of National Healing and Reconciliation was set up to ensure that peace and tolerance were maintained and cherished in the country for sustainable development.In an interview after officiating at the graduation of 508 police officers at Morris Depot in Harare yesterday, VP Mphoko said national healing meant peace and the police were crucial in its preservation.

“The police force is the backbone of security of any government and so if you are anybody, even an ordinary person, you need protection from the police,” he said.

“Even if you go up as a Minister, Vice President, you still need the protection of the police.”

VP Mphoko said there was need to educate the general populace about the sanctity of peace and unity as integral recipes for economic development.

He had earlier in his address to the graduates reinforced the importance of unity, saying there is more that unites than divides Zimbabweans.

Nation building was a collective responsibility and like what African-American civil rights leader Martin Luther said; “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools,” he added.

He urged the graduates to ensure that they maintain the peace and tranquillity existing in the country regardless of race, creed or political persuasion.

VP Mphoko commended the Zimbabwe Republic Police for carving an indelible record in contemporary policing both locally and internationally.

He bemoaned the continued road carnage, saying Government must provide funding to police to acquire modern technology needed to patrol highways and ensure that motorists abide by the traffic rules and regulations.

VP Mphoko urged the police graduates to always uphold the law, abide by the values of the ZRP, its code of conduct and related regulations.

Among the 508 police graduates, 277 were males, while 231 were females.

They undertook studies in criminal law, police powers, procedure and the Law of Evidence, human rights, foot and arms drill, police duties and investigations, public order management, weapon handling, first aid, basic accounting, history of Zimbabwe, community policing, local languages and information technology.