By McGeorge Mbare
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and representatives from various churches in Beitbridge gathered at Shule Shule Shopping Centre on Thursday, October 15, to launch the Christian Community Police Network in Beitbridge Urban.
The launch was held under the theme, Together in Faith, Transforming Our Community.
The initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation between the church and the police in combating crime and promoting public safety in Beitbridge.
The network aims to help address armed robberies, theft, rape and other criminal activities and social ills affecting the town.
Speaking at the event, guest of honour Chief Inspector Moniwa Ndlovu hailed the establishment of the Christian Community Police Network as a significant milestone towards building safer and more compassionate communities through the involvement of church leaders.
“This initiative is a milestone in our collective journey towards building safer and more compassionate communities through the involvement of church leaders,” Ndlovu said.
Ndlovu also urged residents to stop buying meat sold in buckets from unverified sources, warning that such purchases encourage stock theft.
“If we buy the meat sold in buckets, we are encouraging theft. Our pockets might not be fat enough to allow us to buy meat from butcheries, but let us stop buying those things because we are promoting theft and sustaining crime in that way,” he said.
He encouraged members of the public to buy meat from legitimate and traceable sources to help curb the illegal slaughter and sale of stolen livestock.
ZRP Public Relation Officer in Beitbridge, Constable Clemence Manjonjo said community policing played a crucial role in strengthening partnerships between law enforcement agencies and residents, thereby helping to reduce crime and improve public safety.
Manjonjo urged residents planning to travel outside town to notify the police so that officers could assist in safeguarding their homes while they were away.
“When you visit friends and family, please kindly come and give a written notice so that the police can help you keep your home safe when you are not around,” Manjonjo said.
Manjonjo said that it is important for residents to communicate with the police, noting that the public’s cooperation could help prevent crime and protect property.
Detective Constable Kundai Matombo challenged the Beitbridge community to intensify efforts to combat drug abuse and the use of illegal skin-lightening creams, warning that substance abuse could expose young people to criminal activities and other social problems.
Matombo urged parents and guardians to regularly monitor their children, both girls and boys and guide them away from drug use and environments where drugs are abused.
She said that drug abuse could impair judgement, weaken self-control and encourage risky behaviour, potentially leading to violence, theft and other criminal activities.
Substance abuse can also contribute to school absenteeism, poor academic performance, school dropout and family conflicts, while increasing young people’s vulnerability to exploitation and harmful peer pressure.
“As parents, we should aim at protecting our children. Some commit crimes because of the influence of drugs, while others even drop out of school. We should tell our children to stay away from places where drugs are sold or abused. There are instances where some people are arrested simply because they associate with those who smoke or walk around with people who are smoking. They may find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Matombo said.
Matombo encouraged parents to maintain open communication with their children, pay attention to changes in their behaviour and seek assistance from the police or relevant support services whenever they suspect drug abuse.
The launch of the Christian Community Police Network is expected to strengthen collaboration between churches, the police and the wider community in promoting moral values, encouraging crime reporting and preventing criminal activities.
Church leaders from various churches and law enforcement officers are working together to raise awareness of crime prevention, discourage drug abuse and encourage residents to take an active role in making Beitbridge a safer place to live and work.