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Addressing mourners at a funeral service for Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chatiko-bo in Harare yesterday, Comm-Gen Chihuri said time was ripe for the force to put an end to the atrocious violence perpetrated against police officers.

Chief Supt Chatikobo — the Officer Commanding Serious Frauds in Bulawayo — died after being shot by five armed robbers last Friday.

The robbers hit a nightclub (Cape to Cairo) and shot and seriously wounded five people including a policeman.

The gunmen got away with US$1 600 and R800.

The fatal shooting becomes the second in which a police officer died while on duty in less than six months.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said they would not rest until all criminals had been brought to book and security is restored for residents.

“Roadblocks, random searches for wea-pons in vehicles and on individuals are part of the measures that police have adopted to fight the unprecedented rise in weapon-bearing criminals,” he said.

Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena appealed to members of the public to co-operate with police in the ongoing mission, saying the seeming inconvenience was for their safety.

He said the police were determined to catch the three armed men who shot and killed a senior police officer at Cape to Cairo while wounding five others.

Comm-Gen Chihuri said the death of Chief Supt Chatikobo reminded officers to remain vigilant.

“Thus, the challenge is upon us to take the bull by its horns and let not his death be in vain. May I therefore reiterate that the Zimbabwe Republic Police will certainly shoot to kill all undesirable elements bent on killing, kidnapping or attempting to run over police officers in the course of their duties,” he said.

He said Chief Supt Chatikobo’s death came barely six months after Detective Sergeant Joseph Maximus was killed in a shootout with armed robbers in Harare.

“It is undeniable that the two (Chatikobo and Maximus) are some of the many police officers who have either been killed or maimed during their tour of duty and I believe time has come for the Zimbabwe Republic Police to declare war against unruly elements.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will not and I repeat, will not, stand akimbo and watch innocent citizens of this country, let alone police officers being decimated by uncouth criminals in a naïve and imbecile attempt to make our society lawless.”

He said those who wanted to live by the sword must be prepared to die by the sword.

“To this end, all unscrupulous elements, be they armed robbers, carjackers and others of ilk, should be warned that the ZRP shall not hesitate to shoot to kill any such persons attempting to thwart or attack police officers in the discharge of their constitutional mandate.”

Comm-Gen Chihuri said it was disturbing to note that society, particularly the so-called human rights organisations, were surreptitiously silent when unsung heroes such as the Chief Supt Chatikobo and the late Maximus, among many others, were killed everyday.

“Interestingly, we have seen the same organisations even championing the rights of animals and flies. Does this mean that police officers are not human beings?

“Are human rights not inalienable? Regrettably, maybe the crime these police officers have committed is answering to the call of protecting and ensuring the safety and

security of every citizen including their properties.

“Sadly, the selfless sacrifice paid by these police officers has resulted in such agonising death,” he said.

Comm-Gen Chihuri reminded the public that police officers maintained law and order in Zimbabwe, which would be achieved through maximum cooperation from them.

He said police were aware that most of these notorious criminals were being harboured and glorified by the public.

“Let me warn any person harbouring such criminals that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them and I warn them that the arm of the law is swifter than the feet of the traitor,” he said.

Chief Supt Chatikobo (49) died on the spot after being shot by the robbers who were pretending to be patrons at the restaurant.

The robbers entered the restaurant at around 1am and fired shots to scare revellers.

Chief Supt Chatikobo was shot once in the head and the robbers took his CZ pistol.

Detective Constable Pedzisai Shoko was shot and injured in the abdomen and right hand.

An employee, Nonhlanhla Moyo, was shot in the left breast.

Another victim, Collina Manhire (26), was shot in the right leg and one of the bullets grazed the right side of her head.

Born on September 23, 1961 in Buhera, Chief Supt Chatikobo did his primary and secondary education at Munyaradzi Primary School and Daramombe Secondary School in Chivhu.

He joined the force on September 16, 1980 and rose through the ranks to become chief superintendent.

He is survived by his wife Stella and four children Simbarashe (25), Cynthia (20), Lovedale (16) and Lawrence (Jnr) (3).

Chief Supt Chatikobo will be buried today at his Buhera rural home.