The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
POLICE have raised concern over the crime rate in Gwanda which increased by 10 percent from January to March this year compared to the same period last year.
Addressing residents from the town at Phakama Business Centre on Wednesday during an anti-crime campaign, acting police commanding Matabeleland South Province, Assistant Commissioner Clayman Mguquka said among crimes that had increased were murder cases which rose from nine last year to 14.
He said police had partnered with churches in a campaign against crime held under the theme “No to Crime”.
“Gwanda has recorded a significant increase in crime over the period January to March this year compared to the same period last year. Over this period last year 1 128 were recorded while this year 1 258 cases were recorded.
“Murder cases increased from nine last year to 14 this year, stock theft increased from 188 to 215, cases of theft increased from 234 to 319 while rape cases where victims were adults increased from 16 to 24.
“We have partnered with the Gwanda Partners Fraternity and have launched a campaign against crime. As the police we cannot fight crime alone and we continue to urge various stakeholders to work with the police,” he said.
Asst Comm Mguquka said rape cases involving juveniles dropped from 48 last year to 29 this year while assault cases dropped from 383 to 357.
He also said plain robbery cases dropped from 31 to 27 while armed robbery cases dropped from 11 to 10.
Asst Comm Mguquka said the statistics proved that a lot had to be done in order to reduce crime.
He appealed to members of the public to subscribe to various community policing initiatives such as neighbourhood watch committees, business against stock theft, ward/village anti-stock theft committees among others.
Asst Comm Mguquka said it remained a cause for concern that some community members had a tendency of harbouring criminals who are on the run.
He said in some cases members of the public would stand and watch as culprits assault police officers while resisting arrest instead of assisting the law enforcement agents.
“Fighting crime is everyone’s business. Most of our success stories as police have been as a result of input from community members who are part of community initiating policies.
“If the community is involved we can reduce crime not only in the town but throughout the province,” he said.
Gwanda Pastors’ Fraternity chairman Reverend Mesuli Nkomo said churches decided to come together and partner with police as they also had a role in fighting crime.
@DubeMatutu
