The Sunday News
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
POLICE have expressed concern over the prevalence of crime especially poaching, rape and stock theft which has gone up by between 34 and 80 percent in Hwange District.
Besides the three crimes, Hwange policing district, which is made up of six police stations namely Hwange, Dete, Kamativi, Binga, Lusulu and Siabua, also has a high prevalence of murder.
Speaking at the re-launch of Police Service Charter for Hwange District last week, Officer Commanding Police in Hwange, Chief Superintendent Leslie Seretse Maninge said while criminal prevalence decreased by six percent between January and April this year compared to the same period last year, cases of rape, stock theft, poaching and murder remain worrying.
He warned members of the public against entering the Hwange National Park for illegal hunting saying anti-poaching units will not hesitate to shoot.
“The district has noted with concern a rise in rape, stock theft, and wildlife offences which increased by 80 percent, 34 percent and 77 percent respectively. The public is warned to desist from entering the Hwange National Park for poaching as this may lead to loss of life or subsequent arrest,” said Chief Supt Maninge.
He said innocent juveniles were being abused by close relatives which is a cause for concern as it shows disintegration in society.
“I urge you to desist from these practices and also the abuse of women as the strong arm of the law will catch up with you.”
He said Dete area, where the Service Charter was launched, had recorded a 25 percent increase in crime in April alone.
Chief Supt Maninge said police had intensified anti-crime campaigns and public co-operation to help inculcate a culture of a crime free society.
Besides raising awareness, police have also issued a prohibition order banning the carrying and use of axes, knives, knobkerries and other weapons in public places as a response to a prevalence of use of weapons in murder cases.
Chief Supt Maninge said the Police Client Service Charter empowers the public through set mechanisms.
Chief Supt Maninge said police had invested in communication systems such as hotlines, suggestion boxes, WhatsApp, websites and other methods to assist the organisation in executing its mandate.
The communication platforms have made policing easy.
Present at the launch which was held at Dampa Secondary School were Chief Whange, a representative of Chief Nelukoba, Hwange regional magistrate Mr Collet Ncube, heads of various Government departments, pupils from surrounding schools and members of the public.
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