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Nick Mangwana, Government Up Close
Recently, there was a daring daylight raid at a bank in Bulawayo where millions of US dollars were taken in a heist.
This was done in a brazen and movie style, leaving tongues wagging and social media abuzz with a lot of chatter around the issue.
As one followed the trending subject, a sickening social phenomenon began to emerge: the romanticisation of criminals.
This phenomenon, where individuals who engage in illicit activities are glorified and revered, poses a significant threat to the country’s moral fabric and social cohesion.
The observation is that this is not a one-off incident, but a trend.
There are actually a number of these and we will highlight some of them later in this piece.
It is crucial to reject any notion that the perpetrators of the Ecobank heist in Bulawayo should be celebrated as heroes.
Their actions constitute a serious crime that undermines the integrity of Zimbabwe’s financial system and jeopardise the livelihoods of innocent citizens.
Glorifying such behaviour would send a damaging message that crime pays and encourage others to follow suit. We have had a number of home raids, business raids and cash in transit heists which have destroyed livelihoods and lives, leaving victims psychologically traumatised, emotionally damaged and financially ruined.
Romanticising these thieves disregards the devastating consequences of their actions.
The stolen funds belong to hardworking individuals, businesses, and organisations that rely on the banking system for their daily operations.
The loss of these funds can lead to financial instability, and reduced trust in the banking sector.
There is a concerted effort by every stakeholder who cares about the future of our financial sector to encourage people to take their moneys from under their pillows or from within their mattresses into the formal banking system.
Such raids as happened in Bulawayo have an undermining effect on these good efforts.
The bank raid undermines efforts to combat financial crimes and promote economic development in Zimbabwe.
It is essential to recognise that these individuals are not Robin Hood figures, but rather common criminals who must face justice. And yet there are some among us who are rooting for them so they will not be caught and others are actually in complicit with them because it is not making sense for them to disappear into thin air with their loot and car in broad daylight without the assistance of some among us.
They should be exposed. They are nobody’s heroes.
Instead of heralding them as heroes, we must collectively condemn their actions and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to bring them to justice.
The authorities are working tirelessly to apprehend and prosecute those responsible, and the public should provide any information that may aid in the investigation.
By doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the integrity of our financial systems, and ensuring that crime does not pay.
Aiding them to get away with this raid sends the wrong message that one can get away with crime in Zimbabwe, and this is not the society we all want.
Let us unite in rejecting any notion that criminal behaviour is admirable and work together towards a safer, more just society for all Zimbabweans.
President Mnangagwa always sets the tone for our nation when he emphasises that we should embrace, hard, honest work as the key to achieving both personal and national objectives. Not the glorification of criminals we have seen some opting for.
To be fair, this is not an entirely new thing as we saw decades ago some buses and kombis emblazoned with messages venerating convicted murderers Stephen Chidhumo and Edgar Masendeke as some kind of folk heroes.
We even have some songs with lyrics tinged with this uncanny praise. These guys were nobody’s heroes. Masendeke murdered an innocent woman for her car, he tormented people, robbed people and raped women and escaped from lawful custody. As for Chidhumo, he was convicted of 24 counts of various crimes even before being convicted of murder and attempted murders. These lawbreakers were nobody’s heroes and neither is any criminal out there. Let nobody romanticise them.
Psychologists argue that the romanticisation of criminals is rooted in a mix of societal, cultural, and psychological factors. At its core, it stems from a deep-seated desire for rebellion against authority and a fascination with the anti-hero archetype, leading individuals to identify with those they feel challenge the order of things or in their minds, “the system”.
Additionally, the media’s tendency to sensationalise crime can create a false narrative of glamour and notoriety around criminals, further fuelling the public’s fascination.
It has also been argued that psychological concepts such as cognitive dissonance and moral disengagement enable individuals to rationalise and justify criminal behaviour, effectively distancing themselves from the harm caused.
This collective glorification of criminals also serves as a coping mechanism, providing an escape from the monotony of daily life and allowing individuals to vicariously experience thrill and excitement through the criminal’s actions.
Ultimately, the romanticisation of criminals reveals more about ourselves and our psychological frailties than the criminals themselves.
Does social media play a critical role in the romanticisation of crime? The answer is affirmative.
Social media has significantly contributed to the romanticisation of criminals, fostering a culture of glorification and notoriety.
Platforms like Instagram, X, and Facebook may be used as a stage for criminals to showcase their lavish lifestyles, amassing millions of followers and fans.
We have seen Hashtags like #gangsterlife and #thuglife perpetuate a false narrative of glamour, while influencers and celebrities often inadvertently promote criminal behaviour through their endorsements.
Social media’s algorithm-driven feeds prioritise sensational content, spreading sensationalised stories and images that create a cult-like following around notorious figures. Furthermore, the anonymity of online platforms enables users to anonymously idolise and interact with criminals, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
This virtual pedestal has real-world consequences, inspiring copycat behaviour, undermining law enforcement efforts, and desensitising users to the harm caused by criminal activity. Social media’s amplification of criminal exploits has created a digital echo chamber that perpetuates the romanticisation of crime, undermining societal values and threatening public safety.
Talking of public safety, sometime last week, there was a raid by a joint task force of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industries and Commerce and the Zimbabwe Republic Police on supermarkets that were selling baking flour that had been smuggled into the country.
This provoked a public debate in different public spaces, including social media.
Following the debates that ensued after the publication of these raids, one would have been tempted to think that the authorities trying to protect the public were the villains and smuggling reprobates, the heroes or victims.
This attitude betrays another moral dilemma bedevilling our society. It should never be a subject to debate on who is wrong or who is right in cases like these.
The moral compass should easily identify the true North. The smugglers are the villains and the authorities the heroes.
It is crucial to recognise that smugglers of unchecked food items pose a significant threat to public health and safety. These individuals prioritise profits over people’s well-being, knowingly distributing unchecked, potentially contaminated or harmful products.
We will leave the immorality of import duty evasion alone for now. Authorities tasked with enforcing food safety regulations were wrongly misconstrued as villains when they were in fact, heroes working tirelessly to protect us all from harm.
The real villains are those who exploit vulnerable consumers, putting lives at risk for financial gain.
Those supporting or sympathising with smugglers, inadvertently condone the endangerment of our own health and that of our loved ones.
Moreover, unchecked food items can introduce harmful pathogens, pesticides and other contaminants into the food supply, potentially leading to outbreaks and long-term health consequences.
We have all followed the dangerous pesticide glyphosate debate in the public spheres.
We are comforted that the Standards Association of Zimbabwe concluded that our local mealie meal does not contain hazardous levels of this substance. Please note that this clean bill of health was only given to the locally produced food stuffs. Not the goods which are smuggled into the country unchecked.
So, rather than viewing authorities as obstacles, we should appreciate their efforts to ensure the safety and quality of our food.
Let us stand with these heroes against those who prioritise profits over people’s health. By all means let us not romanticise criminals, be they corporate or notorious armed robbers.
To be clear, armed robbers move around with loaded guns which they are very prepared to use on anyone who stands in their way.
Zimbabweans must recognise the dangers of romanticising criminals and take collective action to break this cycle.
The allure of the outlaw may be seductive, but it is ultimately a false promise, undermining the very foundations of our nation.
We must recognise the harmful consequences of romanticising criminals and instead promote a culture of respect for the law and empathy for victims which ultimately include you and I.
By glorifying criminals, we undermine our collective efforts to build a just and prosperous society.
Let us redirect our admiration towards the true heroes — the hardworking citizens, law enforcement authorities, community leaders, and public servants who strive to make Zimbabwe a better place.
By doing so, we can foster a society that values integrity, accountability, and the rule of law.
Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations, one where crime is not celebrated, but condemned.
Nick Mangwana is the Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services
Online Reporter