Matabeleland youths urged to join police

Bulawayo provincial police commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Steven Mutamba has urged parents from Matabeleland to encourage their children with "O" Level passes to join the force.

Speaking at the Cottco Cop of the Month awards ceremony at Ross Camp in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Mutamba also warned against harbouring criminals.

"I want to take this opportunity to appeal to all parents with their children who have passed their "O"Level to join the police force, especially those from this region," Mutamba said.

"Those who are still going to school should join the junior call clubs which are found in each and every secondary school in Bulawayo.

"We would also call on responsible citizens to join the neighbourhood watch scheme and business against crime forum.

"All these initiatives have proved to be successful crime-fighting practices the world over."

Mutamba paid tribute to Cottco and other sponsors for supporting the awards ceremony.

"Cottco Zimbabwe's unparalleled commitment to supporting the ZRP has seen serious crime in the province going down with criminal elements being nabbed," he said.

"Police work is not only challenging, but also calls for risk taking and extra stamina to grapple head-on with these evils of society.

"The kind of situation where we see people providing protection, wining and dining with criminals should be condemned with the contempt it deserves."