Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has acquired the latest technological machines to detect counterfeit documents and fraudulent activities through the use of false signatures and other criminal activities.
The machines also detect fake Identity Cards (IDs), and passports. Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba commissioned the machines at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Harare this week.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The ZRP has acquired the latest technologically advanced VSC machines (QDE) to assist the Police’s Forensic Science Directorate and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to detect fake Identity Cards (IDs), Passports, counterfeit documents, fraudulent activities through the use of false signatures and other criminal activities.”
In 2019, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) also acquired the latest surveillance equipment to aid officers in executing their duties in line with international standards.
This was revealed by the Deputy Commissioner-General, Learn Ncube, at the end of a week-long rebranding and refresher course for 55 senior officers at Ntabazinduna Training Depot.
He said the latest technologies were essential for the operations of any modern police organisation.
“As an organisation, we are aware that for the rebranding exercise to be successful, we should be well resourced,” said Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube.
“Without doubt, policing requires timeous deployment of necessary equipment. In these contemporary times we are living in, our police service must have modern tools of trade such as drones, helicopters, vehicles and surveillance cameras to mention just a few.
“In addition, our police officers should be provided with a decent office and accommodation.”
He said police were satisfied that Government has committed and pledged to resource the police force.
Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube said they will continue to engage the Government through the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to fulfill the pledges.
He said police had acquired the latest surveillance equipment and some officers are already being trained to use it.
Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube, however, did not reveal the kind of surveillance equipment the organisation has acquired, only stating that the public will be notified of the developments in due course.
“Government has pledged to assist us by provision of the latest technologies, let me share with the house that we have since received some latest surveillance gadgets and we have some officers who are undergoing training in terms of the usage of that equipment and indeed our performance will be improved,” he said.
Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube equated the police rebranding exercise to the life cycle of an eagle.
He said as an eagle gets old, it loses its strength and has to reinvent itself through a gruelling exercise or risk death.
“This shows the importance of making choices. It’s either you die or undergo this painful exercise of rebranding. Definitely as an organisation, we have seen it fit to say let us undergo this painful exercise.
“It’s an exercise which as an organisation, we see as prudent to undergo for our survival,” said Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube.
He said the police play a critical role in the country’s national development agenda.
Deputy Com-Gen Ncube said both foreign and local investors should feel safe in pouring their investments into the country.
“Investors are reluctant to put their wealth in a crime-prone environment. Equally, communities abhor crime,” said Deputy Com-Gen Ncube.”
“In Zimbabwe, we want, as espoused in Vision 2030, the police to remain a symbol of peace and a place of refuge.”
