News / Local
ZRP warn injivas
19 Dec 2012 at 20:32hrs | Views
AT least 80 percent of the police force in Matabeleland has been deployed on ground patrols as police move to curb crime during the festive season.
In separate interviews, police spokespersons from the region warned injiva who often commit crimes during the period that this year the police would be out in full force to deal ruthlessly with criminals.
Police have set up 24-hour roadblocks on major roads in and around the region to identify and arrest criminals on the police wanted list.
Deputy police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu said some officers who usually do administrative duties had been re-deployed to ground patrols.
"Many officers have been re-deployed and at least 80 percent of the force would be on the ground to ensure a crime free festive season," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said police were aware that some criminals, especially injiva, who skipped the border after committing crimes, would be in the country for the festive season.
"We are waging total war against crime and we have devised new strategies to ensure that wanted criminals are arrested as soon as they set foot in the city," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said police would not tolerate speeding, drunken driving, overloading and use of unroadworthy vehicles in the city as they want to minimise carnage on the roads.
"Between 15 December 2011 and 15 January 2012, we recorded 345 road accidents, in which two people died and 73 were injured. This year we want to do all within our powers to reduce road accidents and loss of life," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said the police Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) was on the ground vigorously campaigning against domestic violence, adding that most murder cases emanated from domestic violence.
Acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Inspector Christopher Ngwenya, warned especially injiva against committing crime saying police were ready to deal with criminal elements this festive season.
"We are not saying injiva are the only ones who commit crime but what we have witnessed over the years is that there is an upsurge of crimes of passion during such public holidays committed mostly by injiva. People from South Africa may visit and find their wives having been impregnated by other men. We appeal to people to seek mediation from mature third parties, like chiefs or the police, instead of resorting to violence," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
He said only 20 percent of officers in the province would be in office as the majority will be out to deal with crime.
The police spokesperson said the province would tomorrow launch an anti-corruption and crime awareness campaign in Beitbridge.
"We are targeting the port of entry first, so that even visitors to the country will get the message that we do not tolerate crime," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said motorists should refuse to pay bribes to police officers at roadblocks. He however said the motorists on their part should ensure their vehicles were roadworthy.
"If an officer asks for a bribe, motorists should get the force number of the culprit and make a report so that the officer can be disciplined," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya expressed concern over the increase in murder cases in the province this year.
"Last year, between January and November, there were 38 murder cases and this year we recorded 46 during the same period. Assaults declined from 1 685 to 1 401. The murder statistics are worrying," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya warned motorists against using lay-bys on the roadside saying increased reports of muggings had been recorded at the places.
In Matabeleland North, the police spokesperson Inspector Billie Dube also warned injivas and people in general against committing crime.
"We have intensified patrols and we will weed out trouble makers to ensure a peaceful festive season for law abiding citizens," said Insp Dube.
He said the province, saddened by the death of soccer legend, Adam Ndlovu, along the Bulawayo Victoria Falls Road on Sunday, would launch a road safety awareness campaign along the road, this week.
"Losing a life is never a good thing. We would like to appeal to motorists to cooperate with police at roadblocks and follow the rules of the road to minimise accidents," said Insp Dube.
He appealed to people in the province to alert police about the presence of wanted criminals, adding that the province had also come up with new tactics to trap and arrest criminals on the police wanted list who usually sneaked into the country during the Christmas holidays.
In separate interviews, police spokespersons from the region warned injiva who often commit crimes during the period that this year the police would be out in full force to deal ruthlessly with criminals.
Police have set up 24-hour roadblocks on major roads in and around the region to identify and arrest criminals on the police wanted list.
Deputy police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu said some officers who usually do administrative duties had been re-deployed to ground patrols.
"Many officers have been re-deployed and at least 80 percent of the force would be on the ground to ensure a crime free festive season," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said police were aware that some criminals, especially injiva, who skipped the border after committing crimes, would be in the country for the festive season.
"We are waging total war against crime and we have devised new strategies to ensure that wanted criminals are arrested as soon as they set foot in the city," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said police would not tolerate speeding, drunken driving, overloading and use of unroadworthy vehicles in the city as they want to minimise carnage on the roads.
"Between 15 December 2011 and 15 January 2012, we recorded 345 road accidents, in which two people died and 73 were injured. This year we want to do all within our powers to reduce road accidents and loss of life," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He said the police Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) was on the ground vigorously campaigning against domestic violence, adding that most murder cases emanated from domestic violence.
Acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Inspector Christopher Ngwenya, warned especially injiva against committing crime saying police were ready to deal with criminal elements this festive season.
"We are not saying injiva are the only ones who commit crime but what we have witnessed over the years is that there is an upsurge of crimes of passion during such public holidays committed mostly by injiva. People from South Africa may visit and find their wives having been impregnated by other men. We appeal to people to seek mediation from mature third parties, like chiefs or the police, instead of resorting to violence," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
He said only 20 percent of officers in the province would be in office as the majority will be out to deal with crime.
"We are targeting the port of entry first, so that even visitors to the country will get the message that we do not tolerate crime," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said motorists should refuse to pay bribes to police officers at roadblocks. He however said the motorists on their part should ensure their vehicles were roadworthy.
"If an officer asks for a bribe, motorists should get the force number of the culprit and make a report so that the officer can be disciplined," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya expressed concern over the increase in murder cases in the province this year.
"Last year, between January and November, there were 38 murder cases and this year we recorded 46 during the same period. Assaults declined from 1 685 to 1 401. The murder statistics are worrying," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya warned motorists against using lay-bys on the roadside saying increased reports of muggings had been recorded at the places.
In Matabeleland North, the police spokesperson Inspector Billie Dube also warned injivas and people in general against committing crime.
"We have intensified patrols and we will weed out trouble makers to ensure a peaceful festive season for law abiding citizens," said Insp Dube.
He said the province, saddened by the death of soccer legend, Adam Ndlovu, along the Bulawayo Victoria Falls Road on Sunday, would launch a road safety awareness campaign along the road, this week.
"Losing a life is never a good thing. We would like to appeal to motorists to cooperate with police at roadblocks and follow the rules of the road to minimise accidents," said Insp Dube.
He appealed to people in the province to alert police about the presence of wanted criminals, adding that the province had also come up with new tactics to trap and arrest criminals on the police wanted list who usually sneaked into the country during the Christmas holidays.
Source - TC
