ZRP to deploy 45,000 police officers countrywide during festive season

The Zimbabwe Republic Police will deploy 45,000 police officers countrywide to curb crime and to enforce traffic laws during the festive period, a senior police officer said yesterday. Addressing journalists in Harare, police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, said the force would be out infull force to ensure a crime free environment.

"Very few police officers will be in offices as we deploy massively throughout the country to ensure safety and security prevails. "We'll conduct beat and motorised patrols on all major roads and other areas. Police will be checking for wanted persons and those who move around with stolen property," she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said due to the increase in cases of unlawful entry and theft, the public was urged to secure their homes and other property. She said police would account for robbers who pounced on people using pirate vehicles and urged people not to board these vehicles.

"There's no excuse for people to move around with unregistered vehicles. Police will take action on motorists who fail to display their registration plates or remove rear number plates to avoid detection and those who evade police check points," she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said those carrying cattle or meat carcasses should have the necessary documentation to curtail the spread of diseases. "Police will monitor the Mbudzi round about, Dzivaresekwa and other places where goats are sold as some people are selling stolen stock," said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

Police would arrest people found drinking at bottle stores because most of the misunderstandings that resulted in crimes such as murder and assault and indecent exposure emanated from such places.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba warned those driving under the influence of alcohol that police would use breathalyser machines to sniff out the culprits, adding that overloading, speeding and crossing flooded rivers was not encouraged.

"Motorists should check and ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys. The police will not hesitate to impound all defective vehicles and take them to the Vehicle Inspection Department for inspection.

"The ZRP will enforce the provisions of Statutory Instrument 129/15 and motorists are advised to carry a spare wheel, reflective triangles, tools and fire extinguisher," she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the ZRP would deal severely with touts as they were causing confusion, stealing and committing crimes against women and youths. She encouraged the people to contact the nearest police station if they observed anything suspicious or phone the police national complaints desk on (04)703631.