Veterai commends people of Matabeleland

THE outgoing officer commanding police in Matabeleland North, Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Gochai Veterai, has commended the people of the province for the resolute support they give the police force in its fight against crime.

In his farewell speech at the Hwange District Police Headquarters on Wednesday, where he officially handed over the baton to the new commanding officer, Senior Assistant Commissioner Norman Sibanda, Snr Asst Comm Veterai said the successes the police had in the province during his tenure of office were a result of the support the community was giving to the police.

"During my tenure of office, I really enjoyed working with you all. The support I got from you people of Matabeleland North was tremendous and made it possible for me and the organisation to achieve what we have achieved," said Snr Asst Comm Veterai.

He said the province would remain a province which strives for excellence, especially with hardworking and dedicated police officers.

Snr Asst Comm Veterai was posted to Matabeleland North in 2006 and is now moving to take up a new post as the Chief Staffing Officer Administration at the Police General Headquarters in Harare.

The handover ceremony started with police drills led by a colour march.

Snr Asst Comm Veterai handed over a box wrapped in police colours to Snr Asst Comm Sibanda who opened it to receive a rubber stamp with its ink pad, Zimbabwe flag and police flag as his working tools.

The colour party team, a team of marchers "rearranged" to show a sign of accepting the new leader in the province and wrapped up with a sign of allegiance coupled by the police slogan "For the law, for the People and for the country."

Snr Asst Comm Veterai said he was leaving Matabeleland  North a humble man because he had been called by the Commissioner-General, Augustine Chihuri to take up national duty.

In his acceptance speech, Snr Asst Comm Sibanda said his predecessor had made the job easier for him and wished him well in his new assignment.

"May I remind all police officers here that community policing is the linchpin to modern policing and is no doubt dependent on teamwork. I am a man who thrives on community participation when it comes to policing issues. I promise to take over from where he left and accomplish the intended goals," said Snr Asst Comm Sibanda.

He said he would make sure the relationship with neighbouring countries, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia would continue in the fight against cross-border crime.

Snr Asst Comm Sibanda is not a new face to the province, as he served as a district police officer for Bulawayo rural before Matabeleland North became a separate province.

He thanked the police force for according him the onus to lead the province.

"I would like to thank the organisation for bestowing me the honour as officer commanding Matabeleland North Province and to thank my predecessor Snr Assist Comm Veterai who has been at the helm and wish him well in his new posting.

"I would want to say we meet to part and part to meet and with these words I say I am here to work tirelessly with you in a bid to create an investor friendly environment," said Snr Asst Comm Sibanda.

He drew laughter from the gathering drawn from the police force, Government officials, business community from Hwange and members of the community when he said, "can I be accepted?"

The Provincial Administrator for the province, Ms Latiso Dlamini, welcomed the new commander in an interview after the occasion.

Snr Asst Comm Veterai was accompanied by his wife Mrs Rumbidzai Veterai while the wife of Snr Asst Comm Sibanda, Mrs Doris Sibanda was also on hand.