Police warn exam cheats

Harare (New Ziana) – Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga on Friday expressed concern over increasing cases of exam cheating in schools, warning those caught will face the full wrath of the law.

Speaking at a police merit award ceremony, he also expressed alarm at the growing cases of drug abuse by youths, saying this did not bode well for the country’s future.

“Let me categorically state that such acts, (exam cheating) which are also criminal, erode our country’s education system, not to mention the affected institutions and individuals,” he said.

“While we salute schools under the organisation’s remit, I challenge the Staff Officer Education and his team to heighten awareness on ethical conduct, consequences of rogue behaviour and above all, the need to invest in hard work. For the avoidance of doubt, discipline is the fulcrum of police institutions, hence any school under the organisation’s establishment caught in this devil’s net will face the organisation’s wrath,” Matanga warned.

He said drug abuse, which was also becoming rampant in schools, posed a serious danger to the country, in general, and education sector, specifically.

Police, he said, will continue to vigorously carry out various strategies to curb drug dealing and intake, most importantly arresting peddlers.

“To all those involved in such illicit activities, be warned that soon – and I repeat, soon – we will put you behind bars,” he said.

Matanga commended police-run schools for producing good examination results last year, and encouraged them to continue doing so.

One of the schools had a 100 percent pass rate, another 97.5 percent, against a national average of 40.11 percent.

The least performing police school, Support Unit College, had a pass rate of 69.5 percent.

“Indeed, the milestone achievement is an eloquent demonstration of the unparalleled dedication and determination of both our pupils and facilitators,” Matanga said.

He said the exceptional results produced by the pupils underscored the organisation’s culture of excellence which permeates every institution of the force.

New Ziana