Opinion / Columnist
Control firearms please
06 Aug 2014 at 14:34hrs | Views
The recent theft of ammunition from Zimbabwe Republic Police's national armoury reflects of heightened criminal activities that, if left unabated, threaten the security and peace prevailing in Zimbabwe.
The laxity of the security in controlling the ammunition will undoubtedly lead to an influx of weapons and ammunition onto the black market and consequently promote organised criminal activities.
The great question of the day is "Who will police the police?" given that this happened under their nose.
People should just give precedence to human life and peace than peddling selfish ambitions in the wake of economic challenges. The perpetrators should face the full wrath of the law so as to send a stern message to trigger happy culprits out there lest Zimbabwe be reduced to a war zone.
Some of the problems indeed are self borne as the armed criminals pose greater danger to the police themselves. These inconsiderate and unprofessional law agents should be probed further, so that they expose the whole racket involved in this shoddy deal.
This is, however, not the first time that such a crime has been committed by security agents. In 2009, twenty (20) AK47 rifles went missing at Pomona army barracks, whose consequences were and still are too ghastly to contemplate. In his instance, the arms leakages factored in some political motives. This time around, it has happened amid a spat of planned demonstrations by the opposition MDC-T.
Security organisations should be vigilant before the situation gets out hand and address the anomaly. The security organs should be proactive in combining efforts and corroborate intelligence to prevent these arms leaks than be reactive all the time.
One thing that has kept Zimbabwe peaceful and a safe destination for all and sundry has been stern regulation regarding firearms and ammunition. Failure to uphold this will mark the genesis of violent crime and unnecessary bloodshed which has bedevilled most African nations like neighbouring South Africa.
Zimbabwe is on a re-engagement path with the erstwhile West detractors and does not need foil this through criminal activities of those it has mandated as stewards of its interests.
To the authorities that be, maintain the guns free generation, because most of us have never had the sound of a gun and wish it to stay like that.
Source - Caitlin Kamba
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
