The Sunday News
Nokukhanya Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police re- launched its Client Service Charter in Bulawayo yesterday amid calls for police officers to prioritise the safety of members of the public.
Speaking at the event held in Nkulumane, the officer commanding Bulawayo Province (operations) Assistant Commissioner Loraine Chipato who was representing the officer commanding Bulawayo Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Steven Mutamba said police have a responsibility to protect members of the public as well as their property.
“As you know that the police have the responsibility which is written in the Constitution of the country to keep peace hence the police have a duty to protect the public as well as their property,” she said.
She reminded members of the public that they have the right to speak out and report when they are harassed by police.
Asst Comm Chipato urged members of the public not to hesitate to report to officers in charge whenever they feel their rights are being been violated by the police.
“If you feel that you are still not satisfied by the services rendered to you, you can request to see the officer-in-charge at your particular station,” she said.
Asst Comm Chipato said members of the public should also play an active role in curbing crime and should not wait for the police to act.
“So as to fight against violence, the police have decided to work hand in hand with the public to eradicate crime,” she said.
The Assistant Commissioner said the province has managed to reduce crime of concern by 6,7 percent for the period from January to October compared to the same period last year.
Speaking at the same function, vice-chairman of Churches Against Crime (CAC) Archbishop Alexander Pasica said; “People should build proper churches, where they have proper leaders because there are too many crime rates that have been committed by church leaders especially those who worship in bushes.”
He said that the bush belongs to the animals not humans, and it was unhygienic for people to use bushes as their churches because there are no toilets.
“People should stop going to prophets for prayers alone but they should be accompanied by other people because what is done by some prophets is a disgrace to the society as a whole,” he said.
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