Mnangagwa calls for patriotism as 907 police officers graduate

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on newly trained police officers to uphold patriotism, discipline, and national values as they embark on their law enforcement careers.

Speaking at a graduation parade at Mkushi Police Academy in Harare this morning, where 907 officers completed their training, President Mnangagwa emphasized the crucial role of the police in maintaining peace, security, and national stability. Of the graduates, 624 were males while 283 were females.

"In 2023, I made the deliberate decision to rename this institution from Morris Depot to Mkushi Police Academy," President Mnangagwa said. "This was in recognition of the bravery of both the living and departed heroes and heroines who fought against colonialism."

He added that the academy's name pays tribute to the female liberation fighters who perished at the Zebra Mkushi Camp in Zambia in 1978.

"I hope that the graduating class and indeed the police service as a whole will continue to be inspired and emboldened by the same spirit of courage and selflessness that defined that generation of youths," he said.

The President urged the officers to serve with unwavering commitment, stressing that patriotism and nationalism should be central to their duties as custodians of the country's peace and stability.

During the ceremony, President Mnangagwa also congratulated the newly appointed Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Steven Mutamba, on assuming leadership of the force.

The event concluded with a parade showcasing the graduates' discipline, training, and readiness to serve in the police force.