Police to ensure peaceful festive season for Zimbabweans

Harare (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwe Republic Police will be out in full force to maintain law and order during the festive holidays, Commissioner General Godwin Matanga has said.

The festive holidays are characterized by an increase in human and vehicular traffic movements as the public travel to different destinations to celebrate with friends and relatives.

In a 2022 festive season statement, Matanga said adequate police officers would be deployed to ensure peaceful celebrations.

“My office has observed that this period attracts a lot of attention as fatal and serious road traffic accidents are recorded on the country’s roads,” he said.

“Criminal acts are likely to increase as evidenced by recorded cases of armed robbery, murder, rape, drug abuse, stock theft and unlawful entry and theft.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will therefore deploy adequately to ensure police officers are visible so that peace prevails in communities, on the roads, public gatherings and any other place where the public has access. Stern action will be taken against pirate taxis (mushikashika operators) and motorists who drive recklessly with no regards for the rights of other road users.”

Matanga said Officers Commanding Police Provinces had been ordered to ensure that sufficient visibility was maintained in communities and on the country’s major roads.

“Police officers will also account for criminal elements who commit armed robberies, murder, rape, stock theft and those who engage in illicit drug activities which are affecting the youths and elderly.

“May I implore the public not to keep large sums of money at home or business premises as this attracts criminals,” he said.

This year, cases of robberies of mostly cash in banks, service stations and homes have been widespread.

He urged the public to report suspicious criminal movements to the police for swift action to be taken.

“Companies should ensure that their security is beefed up with those entities conducting cash-in-transit activities are urged to work closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to curb armed robbery cases,” he said.

Zimbabwe has also witnessed a rise in illegal drug use especially by youths.

Matanga urged parents and guardians to monitor their children during the holiday to curb cases of sexual abuse, drowning and drug abuse.

He said the police would conduct crime and road safety campaigns on the major highways to ensure adherence to traffic rules and reduce accidents, many of which were avoidable.

“The public is also urged to shun and report corrupt activities to any nearest Police station. Above all, they should cooperate with police officers deployed on patrols, roadblocks and other duties to ensure that law and order is maintained during the holidays.

“May I urge all drivers to be exemplary on the roads and promote road safety at all times. All unroadworthy and plate less vehicles will be impounded by the police.

“Drivers should not speed or overload vehicles with passengers or goods. The mixing of goods and passengers will not be tolerated by the Police during this holiday as this contributes to road traffic accidents,” he said

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police will be conducting an operation dubbed, “Lets Join Hands in Preventing Crime and Road Carnage,” which runs from 15th December 2022 to 15th January 2023 to ensure that all criminal activities in communities and reckless driving on the roads were dealt with.

New Ziana