Angry authorities vowed yesterday that they would hammer perpetrators of violent crime in the country, while also dealing ruthlessly with rogue police officers caught participating in criminal activities.
In addition, police also warned ordinary citizens against undermining and acting violently towards law enforcement agents going about their duties. This comes after police gunned down four armed robbers in Harare on Friday, including a serving cop who was part of the gang that had robbed a businessman of US$10 000.
Speaking to the Daily News On Sunday yesterday, national police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi, said law enforcement agents would henceforth descend even more heavily on all perpetrators of violent crime and other miscreants.
“To those engaging in violent crime, don’t say you have not been warned. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will hammer those who shoot at its officers. “The ZRP will also not tolerate any form of violence by criminals robbing people using firearms and other weapons. “Decisive action will be taken and we would like to assure the public and also encourage them to report such cases so that the police can act on them, as was the case with these latest robbers,” a clearly fed-up Nyathi told the Daily News On Sunday.
“We are concerned about cases of violent crimes and also wondering how criminals often get to know that people will be having money at their business premises or homes. “We are also concerned about the proliferation of firearms … There are unmarked weapons which are being used for criminal activities. We urge people to report anyone moving around with firearms,” Nyathi further told the Daily News.
“The ZRP does not also tolerate criminality among its members and let those who want to engage in such practices be warned that they will be dealt with ruthlessly. “Working with criminals in robbing innocent citizens is not tolerated. Such members will be dealt with and put in the same bracket as criminals,” Nyathi added.
This comes as authorities have launched a crackdown against the twin-evil of machete-wilding gangs and armed robbers that have been terrorising communities around the country. It also comes as the government is preparing to introduce tough laws that include the establishment of special courts to fast-track all cases of barbaric magnitude. On Friday, four suspected armed robbers — including a policeman, were shot dead after exchanging gunfire with detectives who had swooped on them moments after robbing a businessman at his premises in Harare.
Among the deceased robbers was Kudzai Kanjera, a cop based at Hatfield Police Station, who was in the company of his other accomplices — Admire Nheketwa, Brian Chibaya and Tatenda Chari — who were also shot dead during the encounter. Nyathi confirmed the shoot-out yesterday, which occurred along Mbuya neHanda Street — saying they got a tip-off that the robbers intended to pounce on businessman Chris Chibueze Agu.
-Daily News