News / Regional
Police launch operation against SA-based criminals
06 Dec 2010 at 18:57hrs | Views
POLICE in Matabeleland North Province have launched an operation code-named Salibonani njiva as they move to create a peaceful atmosphere during the festive season and recover unregistered firearms.
The operation is aimed at Zimbabweans based in South Africa who are popularly known as injiva.
The injivas have been accused of being involved in violent activities, reckless driving and lavish spending during the festive season.
In an interview on Friday, the Officer Commanding Police in Matabeleland North, Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai, said the operation was launched following an increase in armed robbery cases and illegal possession of firearms in the province.
"Recently, eight people were arrested in Tsholotsho and three firearms recovered. Suspects were taken to CID Homicide for screening," he said.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai said 125 police officers drawn from all police sections in the province would be deployed during the operation, which shall run up to 15 January 2011.
"Zimbabwean nationals who work in neighbouring countries usually come for Christmas and New Year holidays during this time of the year and return mid-January.
"The period is characterised by fellowship and joyfulness by Zimbabwean citizens. However, injivas normally bring guns instead of Christmas cakes, death instead of joy, and disorder instead of fellowship," said Snr Asst Comm Veterai.
"As the police, we want citizens to have crime- free Christmas and New Year holidays."
He said the police wanted to account for all unlicensed firearms, reduce carnage on the roads and at the same time maintain law and order.
"We are welcoming all people coming for holiday as our province is likely to witness many people going for holiday especially in Victoria Falls. We are at the same time inviting all those who are in possession of illegal firearms to come and surrender their weapons to us," said Snr Asst Comm Veterai.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai was particularly concerned about Tsholotsho district, which he said was "infested" with injivas in possession of unregistered firearms as evidenced by recent arrests and recovery of weapons.
"Last week, a 27-year-old gun wielding Tsholotsho robber was overpowered and stabbed once before he could reach for his pistol as he tried to rob a 48-year-old man of his bicycle," he said.
He said last month, five more suspects were arrested when they were found in possession of unregistered firearms in Tsholotsho.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai said police got information from the arrested suspects on how the firearms were being trafficked into Zimbabwe and police will act on that information to bring the culprits to book.
The operation is aimed at Zimbabweans based in South Africa who are popularly known as injiva.
The injivas have been accused of being involved in violent activities, reckless driving and lavish spending during the festive season.
In an interview on Friday, the Officer Commanding Police in Matabeleland North, Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai, said the operation was launched following an increase in armed robbery cases and illegal possession of firearms in the province.
"Recently, eight people were arrested in Tsholotsho and three firearms recovered. Suspects were taken to CID Homicide for screening," he said.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai said 125 police officers drawn from all police sections in the province would be deployed during the operation, which shall run up to 15 January 2011.
"Zimbabwean nationals who work in neighbouring countries usually come for Christmas and New Year holidays during this time of the year and return mid-January.
"The period is characterised by fellowship and joyfulness by Zimbabwean citizens. However, injivas normally bring guns instead of Christmas cakes, death instead of joy, and disorder instead of fellowship," said Snr Asst Comm Veterai.
"As the police, we want citizens to have crime- free Christmas and New Year holidays."
He said the police wanted to account for all unlicensed firearms, reduce carnage on the roads and at the same time maintain law and order.
"We are welcoming all people coming for holiday as our province is likely to witness many people going for holiday especially in Victoria Falls. We are at the same time inviting all those who are in possession of illegal firearms to come and surrender their weapons to us," said Snr Asst Comm Veterai.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai was particularly concerned about Tsholotsho district, which he said was "infested" with injivas in possession of unregistered firearms as evidenced by recent arrests and recovery of weapons.
"Last week, a 27-year-old gun wielding Tsholotsho robber was overpowered and stabbed once before he could reach for his pistol as he tried to rob a 48-year-old man of his bicycle," he said.
He said last month, five more suspects were arrested when they were found in possession of unregistered firearms in Tsholotsho.
Snr Asst Comm Veterai said police got information from the arrested suspects on how the firearms were being trafficked into Zimbabwe and police will act on that information to bring the culprits to book.
Source - www.chronicle.co.zw
