ZRP has an obligation to speak on sanctions

owing to their debilitating effect on crime prevention and social instability in the country.

Snr Asst Comm Munoriarwa said this at Huruyadzo, St Mary’s high density suburb, Chitungwiza where he was guest of honour at the ZRP Harare Province Community Policing campaigns aimed at creating awareness to the members of the public.

“There are some people who say the police should not speak about sanctions. We respect that view but as police, sanctions have caused a lot of social instability on people’s lives. Companies have closed, creating unemployment thereby resulting in the prevalence of crime in society. There has been social instability, domestic violence and our work has surged,” said Snr Asst Comm Munoriarwa.

“If there is unemployment, some people start committing crimes like theft, armed robbery, prostitution and as a result we can’t keep quite on sanctions and we cannot be silenced over illegal sanctions. He, however, said people should be innovative in the wake of the illegal embargo, as they should stop “sanctioning” their minds.

“Let’s look at programmes that assist people, that is the solution in fighting sanctions,” he said.
On political violence, Snr Asst Comm Munoriarwa said the scourge that reared its ugly head in 2008, should not be repeated.

“The violence that we saw in 2008 should not be repeated, let’s live in peace and harmony,” he said.
He urged political leaders to inform the police whenever they intended to hold political gatherings in terms of the law. On the media, Snr Asst Comm Munoriarwa said the fourth arm of the State should desist from sensation.

“Yes you have an obligation to inform and educate but in your reportage, you should be responsible and not exaggerate and sensationalise stories. Sensational reporting might cause citizens to engage in lawlessness and this must be avoided,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm urged people not to take the law into their own hands by assaulting suspects.

“We don’’t solve problems by creating another problem,” he said.
On crime statistics, Snr Asst Comm Munoriarwa said in 2012 they were 3 102 cases of domestic violence, 63 murder cases, 153 armed robberies, 824 rape, 7763 cases of unlawful entry and 3 083 cases of theft from vehicles. ZRP Harare province is on whirlwind conducting roadshows creating public awareness on various crimes.