News / National
Zanu-PF MP appeals for motorbikes for rural policing
07 Dec 2024 at 13:12hrs | Views
Gwanda South legislator Omphile Marupi (Zanu PF) has urged the government to provide motorbikes to rural police in his constituency to address challenges in patrolling areas with poor road infrastructure.
Speaking to Southern Eye, Marupi highlighted that deteriorating roads in Gwanda South make it nearly impossible for police vehicles to access certain areas, hindering crime prevention efforts.
"We are facing a big challenge as our roads are in a sorry state, and this has limited the patrol of police officers, leaving the community vulnerable to crime," Marupi said.
The region has been plagued by cattle rustling, which has significantly affected livelihoods, and illegal mining activities, which have disrupted community development.
"In our area, we have been victims of cattle rustlers, which has left our community poor as criminals take away our wealth," Marupi added.
Marupi proposed that motorbikes would be a cost-effective and efficient solution for police patrols in rural areas.
"The vehicles they are currently using cannot reach some parts of the area and are costly to repair when they break down. Motorbikes, on the other hand, can navigate bad roads more easily and are cheaper to maintain," he said.
To improve policing access, Marupi revealed that a former torture camp from the Ian Smith regime in Hwali has been converted into a police base. This initiative aims to bring essential services closer to rural villagers and enhance their protection against criminals.
"We have increased the number of police stations in rural areas to ensure people can access policing services and enjoy a better quality of life," Marupi noted.
The poor state of roads in Matabeleland South, worsened during the rainy season, has long been a challenge for the region. Marupi's appeal underscores the need for both infrastructure improvement and innovative solutions to enhance community safety.
The provision of motorbikes would strengthen law enforcement's ability to curb crime, offering residents hope for a safer and more secure environment.
Speaking to Southern Eye, Marupi highlighted that deteriorating roads in Gwanda South make it nearly impossible for police vehicles to access certain areas, hindering crime prevention efforts.
"We are facing a big challenge as our roads are in a sorry state, and this has limited the patrol of police officers, leaving the community vulnerable to crime," Marupi said.
The region has been plagued by cattle rustling, which has significantly affected livelihoods, and illegal mining activities, which have disrupted community development.
"In our area, we have been victims of cattle rustlers, which has left our community poor as criminals take away our wealth," Marupi added.
"The vehicles they are currently using cannot reach some parts of the area and are costly to repair when they break down. Motorbikes, on the other hand, can navigate bad roads more easily and are cheaper to maintain," he said.
To improve policing access, Marupi revealed that a former torture camp from the Ian Smith regime in Hwali has been converted into a police base. This initiative aims to bring essential services closer to rural villagers and enhance their protection against criminals.
"We have increased the number of police stations in rural areas to ensure people can access policing services and enjoy a better quality of life," Marupi noted.
The poor state of roads in Matabeleland South, worsened during the rainy season, has long been a challenge for the region. Marupi's appeal underscores the need for both infrastructure improvement and innovative solutions to enhance community safety.
The provision of motorbikes would strengthen law enforcement's ability to curb crime, offering residents hope for a safer and more secure environment.
Source - newsday
