We had a situation of robbers who were using an axe to gun a neighbor’s door, I called the Nkulumane Police Station and they said they had no transport. I asked them to call the Emganwini Police Base to intervene, and they said they had no communication with Emganwini Police Base
Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
Thandolwethu Moyo
Residents of Rangemore, Mbundane, Emganwini and Nkulumane in the Northwest of Bulawayo have expressed displeasure with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Nkulumane District which polices these suburbs.
There has been an upsurge of crime especially in Emganwini and Rangemore areas. Muggins, break-ins and forced entry and theft as well as stocktheft has left the residents of these suburbs wondering if the ZRP exists.
Rangemore is a semi-urban suburb, whereas Emganwini is a fast growing high density suburb both in population and housing units.
Together with their Village head, and three councilors, residents had the opportunity to engage Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the ZRP National spokesperson, in a bid to come up with solutions that could untangle their debacle.
The engagement was attended by Senior Police Officers of Nkulumane District who included, the Officers In Charge, Tshabalala Police Station – Chief Inspector Mashaba, Nkulumane Police Station – Chief Inspector Muzhingi, Nkulumane
Intelligence Unit – Inspector Mpangwa, Superintendent in charge of operations Bulawayo – Sifiso Siziba,
Officer Commanding Nkulumane District
Chief Superintendent- Kabika and Provincial Spokesperson Bulawayo, Inspector Abedinico Ncube.
The composition of residents were from Emganwini, Rangemore, Mbundane, Lavendale, Woolendale and villages 1 to 4 which falls under Nkulumane District. Amongst the residents where community leaders, including Councilors for Ward 17, 18 and 26, Hon Garikai Mazo, Ndlovu, and Mpumelelo Moyo respectively, and the village Head Israel Ncube.
The village head, being the first to speak, raised concern over the rise in stock theft and unlawful settlements in the villages, which often affects their pastures. He further attributed the crime wave to the recent amnesty which saw several criminals being released from prison.
Village head Ncube also highlighted that the distance between the Police Stations and the people was a serious challenge, as the Police would often site lack of transport as a reason for failing to carrying out and attend to their duties.
Councilor for Ward 18, Clr. Ndlovu requested for a Police Base in Mbundane, pointing as well to the distance residents have to walk to the Police Base in Emganwini to report cases of crime.
“My plea from our senior police officers, is that they have to note that our suburb comprises of two wards 17 and 18, which are very big. Reporting cases of crime at Emganwini Base is a mammoth task, because its far. Even after reporting at Emganwini, the police manning the Base do not respond, if they do they take ages to come.”
She continued to say residents from Mbundane have the resources to build their own police base, all they need is the permission from the top heirachy of the ZRP.
Hon. Mpumelelo Moyo, Councilor for Ward 26 pleaded that the Emganwini Police Base be extended into a proper Police Station to match the ever growing Emganwini Suburb. He said,
“The number of house units is increasing everyday in Emganwini and the population is increasing. The base we have currently is now too small to cater for the number of people at hand. Emganwini has approximately over 3000 house units now.”
He also mentioned that the City Council had already allocated a stand for the Police Station to be built and asked if the powers that be at ZRP would agree to a concerted effort by the residents who are prepared to source for funds to have the police station constructed.
Clr. Moyo said he was bemused as to why Emganwini Police Base is ever manned by two police officers especially at night. He assumed it was the reason these officers did not respond to emergency calls at night.
This he said, the criminals have noted and are taking advantage of and perpetrate henious crimes against residents.
Clr. Moyo enquired if there was a shortage of manpower in the Police force.
Residents cemented Clr. Moyo’s concerns of the shortage manpower at Emganwini Police Base which is ever manned by two police officers. This they said, becomes hard for the officers to leave the base at night to attend to residents’ complaints.
Councilor Garikai Mazo said that as residents they have build a Police Base in Ward 17, but the District Police is yet to assign Officers, thus they are seeking Ast. Com. Nyathi’s permission to have the Base Activated.
A former Police Constabulary, whose name was not captured had a tale of his own to tell the police boss.
“I fail to understand how Police Officers mention that they have no transport when called for emergencies. We had a situation of robbers who were using an axe to gun down a neighbor’s door, I called the Nkulumane Police Station and they said they had no transport. I asked them to call the Emganwini Police Base to intervene, and they said they had no communication with Emganwini Police Base.
“Police fail to attend to residents who are under seige because of lack of transport, but useless people are being given cars everyday.” Exclaimed the former Police Constabulary.
Also topical was the poor communication and engagement between the residents and the ZRP.
In his response, the National Police Spokesperson, Ast. Com. Paul Nyathi, urged the police to peform their duties diligently while encouraging the residents to work hand in hand with the Police. He also advised the formation of Neighborhood Watch Committees.
“It is also imperative that
Police Officers In Charge of this District to conduct community engagement sessions every 30 days.”
On the construction of a police station and establishment of Police Bases Nyathi said,
“Population of an area and crime rate determine the need for a Police Station as well as establishment of a Base. I am encouraged by the efforts from these communities and I promise that when I return to Harare these efforts will be deliberated upon by the Headquarters of the Police.”
On the issue of two officers manning Emganwini Base, he was baffled as to why such was taking place, he thus, ordered the Dispol to improve in the number of officers at this base. And on the Rangemore base, he said he was impressed that residents had taken the initiative to build it and as such, he would inspect it and then see to it that it is operational.
On the issue of Police transport Ast. Com. Paul Nyathi said,
“In the recent elections, the government gave the ZRP more vehicles, which saw each Police Station nationwide possessing at least two vehicles. These should be used for the right reasons. Residents should report to the Officers In Charge any misuse of these vehicles”.
He also revealed that the Police Headquarters in Harare had requested for more Police Vehicles and the government had responded positively, but he could not give a timeline to the delivery of the cars.
The residents were happy with the engagement and hoped that it would bring change in their respective areas.
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