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Leonard Ncube, [email protected]

POLICE have encouraged citizens to embrace the concept of community policing, which entails members of the public taking the initiative to fight crime in their locality in collaboration with security services.

With the Zimbabwe Republic Police striving to be a friend for all and ensure the security of property, humans and wildlife, citizens should also play a part in making their communities safe by joining hands regardless of their social or political status, to fight criminal activity.

While commending the Victoria Falls community for foiling a potential human trafficking case after they formed a search party to collectively look for a four-year-old boy who had allegedly been kidnapped last month, Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Inspector Glory Banda said a community where citizens and police work together is always safe.
Mukundi Darrel Fore, who went missing after attending church in Victoria Falls on a Saturday, was found alive and healthy after 35 hours, thanks to the collaborative effort of residents and the business community in conducting an extensive day and night search.
Mukundi had gone to church with his mother, Ms Loice Zimunhu, a teacher at Lesedi Primary School when he disappeared at around 4.30pm.
An immediate SOS was sent out and various stakeholders, including politicians, tourism and business executives, church leaders and other concerned individuals, formed a search party that eventually led to the discovery of the boy.

The search party was coordinated through the Ward One Neighbourhood Watch Committee, with the help of the police, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, tourism sector players and other authorities, among others.

What was particularly remarkable about this search-and-rescue operation was the extent of support from the community, including the participation of helicopter tour operating companies that provided helicopters for an aerial search and other businesses that offered assistance.

The Victoria Falls community has developed a culture of pooling resources together to help those in need, and this gesture of unity and resilience in the face of adversity was much-needed comfort for Ms Zimunhu, who was relieved to be reunited with her son.

Police opened investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding Mukundi’s disappearance as it was reported that he had been seen eating dried snacks with an unidentified man before being dropped off by a car near the same location where he was last seen during church.

No arrest has been made and Insp Banda appealed to residents to assist police with information.

“This deplorable and unlawful act of crime has been there since time immemorial and is committed by errant members of the community who target innocent citizens who in most cases are co-residents. Criminals usually get hardened and make people suffer just for the sake of money.

“To curb crime, the concept of community policing comes up. This entails the inclusion of members of the public in the fight against crime and their participation in policing activities. The efficacy of community policing cannot be overemphasised as it has always paid dividends and as ZRP we commend the way our peace-loving citizens tip off police to expose crime,” he said.

Insp Banda warned citizens against protecting criminals or withholding information when residents know about criminal activities, saying this is as good as being an accomplice and endorsement of crime by default.

He said the community should not be left to suffer in the hands of a few malcontents and callous citizens.

Insp Banda said anyone can join the Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC).

“NWC is one of the noblest concepts where people come together to protect their area in the interest of safeguarding their property and sanctity of life. We are glad that when a four-year-old boy went missing in Victoria Falls on 26 October, the rest of Victoria Falls took part in the search to search for him and criminals took to their heels.

“We therefore request anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of these criminals to come forward. Citizens should rest assured that we will treat every information with utmost confidence,” said Insp Banda.

— @ncubeleon