Bulawayo police launches 24-7 street patrols

Cases of muggings and theft in Bulawayo’s western suburbs are set to be dealt with after the Zimbabwe Republic Police Western Division launched the police patrol unit which will see officers roaming the township streets 24 hours a day.

The launch of the patrol unit has brought a huge sigh of relief to the community which had been forced to live in fear as cases of muggings had been on a marginal rise since the beginning of the year.

ZRP Bulawayo Western Division Officer Commanding Chief Superintendent Marshal Dube read the riot act to police officers as he encouraged them to perform their duties diligently.

“The role played by the presence of uniformed police officers on patrol in law enforcement is often underestimated by most communities. Police should not be shy of their work and should carry out their duties effectively. There are young police officers who despise beat patrols. When they are assigned patrol duties they grumble and loiter, such tendencies contradict sections of the police,” said Chief Superintendent Dube.

Mpopoma Phelandaba National Assembly member Cde Joseph Tshuma urged the community to take advantage of the patrol unit and assist police in fighting crime in the area.

“We are saying this is your time to report all the bad apples in the community. Don’t be afraid to report all perpetrators of rape and thieves within your communities…work well with your officers…,” Cde Tshuma said.

The launch of the police patrol unit is set to boost the image of the police services in the eyes of the public as issues of crime that have been on a marginal rise are set to be dealt with timeously.