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distributed to police stations in rural areas.
There are more than 400 police stations countrywide and the force is expected to buy more vehicles.
Speaking at the commissioning of the vehicles at Morris Depot yesterday, Home Affairs co-Minister Kembo Mohadi, said the acquisition of the cars fortified the force’s determination to engender a safe and secure society, free from crime and road carnage.
“It is disheartening to note that most operational and traffic stations around the country either do not have a vehicle or have to contend with an ageing and obsolete fleet, which undeniably, has the effect of hindering the stations’ capacity to fully police their respective areas,” he said.
He said police officers were being forced to subsidise policing from their meagre earnings by repairing vehicles as well as buying fuel to enhance operations.
“Allow me to mention with pride that the force has managed to procure these vehicles through its retention fund scheme.
“It is without doubt that this milestone achievement will go a long way in alleviating the transport challenges that have bedevilled the organisation in its quest to effectively manage crime,” Minister Mohadi said.
He said through the scheme, the force also recently bought 40 BMW and 25 Ford Ranger vehicles, two heavy duty printers, three X-ray machines, 100 chairs, 100 desks, 38 computers and 24 laptops.
Minister Mohadi said this would go a long way in enhancing the force’s mobility and visibility in crime management.
“Furthermore, the availing of these resources to the organisation is going to buttress the ZRP’s capacity to effectively police all key sectors of the economy, congruent to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Strategic
Plan Vision 2020 policing theme which says; ‘Poli-cing the Nation for Sustainable Economic Development’,” he said.
The minister urged all the sections that were going to receive the Defenders to put them to good use.
He said the vehicles should not be abused through perpetuating shoddy practices but must benefit the society through improved service delivery.
Speaking at the same event Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri said they would acquire more vehicles since most of their officers were operating without cars.
“People want security, even the business and the economy. Without security there won’t be any business to talk about,” he said.
Online Reporter