ZRP Deploy Patrols, Ban Dangerous Weapons for Safer Holidays

Picture: Chief Superintendent Dr Leon Marongedze

...Urge Vigilance Amid Festive Season Celebrations

By Delicious Mathuthu

Gweru - As Zimbabweans gear up for the 2025 festive season, police in the Midlands Province have launched campaigns and issued warnings to curb rising crimes, emphasizing community involvement and strict adherence to safety measures.

Midlands Provincial Community Relations and Liaison Officer, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, outlined a series of guidelines in a statement aimed at ensuring a secure holiday period.

"Zimbabwe Republic Police, Midlands Province, wishes a very safe and crime free 2025 festive season to the province’s residents, business community and those travelling in and as well as passing through.

"Let us all play a part in ensuring a safe season, in line with an old adage, which says 'The fight against crime is everyone’s responsibility'," Mahoko said.

On protecting homes and businesses, Mahoko advised residents to maintain a presence at their properties.

"Always have someone present at home," he said, recommending forming neighborhood watch groups "made up of people of good character to watch over your places."

Where resources allow, Mahoko suggested installing dura walls, fences with lockable gates, screens on entrances and burglar bars on windows.

"At night or when one leaves the premises, windows, doors and screens should be closed and locked," he added.

Additional measures include keeping dogs, hiring private security guards and considering electronic systems like facial detection, CCTVs, fingerprints and swipe cards for businesses.

"Valuables must be stored away from places they are easily seen and accessed," Mahoko said.

He warned against keeping large sums of cash on premises or while moving, urging people to bank money and retain only what's needed immediately.

Residents can also apply for the Police House Under Supervision (HUS) scheme at local stations, Mahoko said.

Traffic safety formed a key part of the message.

"Drivers are reminded to adhere to all road traffic rules and regulations so as to promote safety," he said.

He stressed proper journey planning, considering travel day, road conditions and rest needs.

"Be sure that your motor vehicle is in a perfect mechanical condition before embarking on journeys.

"Do not overload beyond capacity of your motor vehicle and avoid speeding," Mahoko said.

Mahoko emphasized observing speed limits and avoiding rushes, warning that "speed thrills but kills."

For those without personal transport, he recommended authorized options like buses and kombis at designated points such as Kudzanai buses and TM commuter rank in Gweru, identifiable by red-on-white registration plates.

"Use of private motor vehicles commonly known as ‘Mushika-shika exposes you to robbers and other associated dangers," Mahoko warned.

Addressing crimes against individuals, including murder, robbery, assaults and sexual offences, Mahoko urged moderation in celebrations.

"Let us not overdo certain things during celebrations or getting drunk to an extent of not knowing what will be happening," he said, adding that "when wronged, always look for solutions through dialogue. Fights or violence will not solve issues."

He also called for protecting vulnerable groups.

"Young children and girls must always be in custody of trusted people, especially ladies for young girls.

"Generally, people should avoid travelling alone, at night or use of dark allies and foot short cuts," Mahoko said, to prevent falling victim to robbers.

He discouraged noisy activities.

"Banging of drums, objects and firing of fire-crackers is discouraged as it can seriously affect people with nervous dispositions.

"It can also result in damage to property or trigger anger and negative reactions among animals and pets like dogs which may end up attacking people," he said.

To enforce these measures, police have ramped up presence.

"May the general public be assured that, ZRP will have adequate patrol deployments to cover all residential areas, business centres, industry, farming and communal areas during the whole festive season.

"Roadblocks will be manned on all major roads. The deployments are being done to enhance safety throughout the festive season, cooperate with the Police Officers when you meet them and do not hinder their activities," Inspector Mahoko said.

He encouraged public tips where people help by supplying with information about crimes that maybe committed in their view or any suspicious activities and characters.

He also said police should be informed when one encounters people who maybe on the Police wanted persons lists and suspected stolen property.

Complementing these efforts, Gweru Urban police conducted a crime awareness campaign on Thursday across the district, led by Chief Superintendent Dr Leon Marongedze, the Officer Commanding Police in the Gweru Urban District.

Speaking at Mkoba 16 Shopping Centre, Marongedze echoed many of Mahoko's points while highlighting risks during gatherings.

"We do know that people will be celebrating, coming from different places, some having friends and family over, but during those celebrations is where we get some cases where people lose their lives," he said.

"We have come to alert the people of Gweru as Gweru Urban District, that yes celebrate but know what the law says, know where you are supposed to drink your beers, to what time, bar and bottle store operators observe given time limits," Chief Superintendent Marongedze added.

Marongedze also referenced a standing Prohibition Order banning the carrying of dangerous weapons from 15 December 2025 to 15 March 2026.

In a statement released by Assistant Inspector Xolani Dube, the Acting Midlands Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Marongedze said the ZRP is empowered by Section 219 of the Zimbabwe Constitution where it is mandated to prevent crime, preserve internal peace and maintain law and order amongst other duties.

"As such we put in place Prohibition Orders across the divide of the province against carrying of dangerous weapons," Dr. Marongedze said.

Acting under Section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Chapter 11:23), Marongedze, as the regulating authority for Gweru Urban District, prohibited the public carrying or display of catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggers for the period.

The area covers regions bounded by Midlands State University extending to Fletcher High School, Dayslesford, Coolmoreen Plots, Greenvale, Ridgemont, Hertfordshire, Montrose Plots, Woodlands, Mkoba 20, Mkoba 19, Mkoba 14, Mkoba 5, CSC, Heavy Industry, Dabuka, Southview extension and back to Midlands State University.

Dr Marongedze cited "...an upsurge in crime such as tobbery [other weapons], unlawful entry and theft, domestic violence, assaults, murder and attempted murder in Gweru Urban District" as the reason for the order.

"Chief Superintendent Doctor Leon Marongedze do hereby temporarily prohibit the carrying of these weapons because cases involving them are now rampant and threatening the very existence of public safety," the statement read.

Police officers are authorized to seize such items without warrant and hold them for court proceedings, citing the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA)

"The reason of this Prohibition Order is to curb all forms of crime during this festibe season and beyod," Asst. Inspector Dube said.