Zimbabwe Republic Police

Chief Staff Officer (Press and Public Relations), SAC Charity Charamba (left), talented wife of Constable Knowledge Madeyi, Mrs Madeyi (centre) Chief Staff Officer (Police Printers),

SAC Prudence Chakanyuka (right) pose for a photo at the PGHQ ZRP Kuyedza Mini-Show

Only a few months after joining Kuyedza Women’s Club (KWC), a goal was set and she was to alter a dress during her dress making course. She had to figure out how to do it with one hand. With passion and ingenuity she managed to get it done.

She uses scissors, needle and threads and she does it with only her right hand, her deformed left hand only offering her little support. Other members can assist in cutting of cloth pieces if a table to lay one is not accessible.

Young and talented wife of Constable Knowledge Madeyi of Police General Headquarters’ Administration Department, Ropafadzo Madeyi was born with Amelia (birth defect of lacking one limb). When growing up she never thought she could participate in handwork until January 2017 when she joined KWC. She undertook several courses with the club, which includes baking, cosmetology, detergent making, dress making, beading and cocktail snacks production.

“I discovered the greater part of my ability in my disability through several courses I undertook at Kuyedza,” said Mrs Madeyi.

KWC empowered the 24-year-old mother to discover some of the hidden talents she never thought she had because of her disability.

She is exceptional in dress making and she exhibited some of her products at the recently held PGHQ Province ZRP Kuyedza Women’s Club Mini-Show held at their headquarters. However, she has not yet raised enough funds to buy sewing machines and is so far doing baking business.

“If I keep focused, two years from now I will be somewhere in the business world as all the courses I undertook are money generating,” said Mrs Madeyi. Her mentor, Mrs Peggy Nhau said she encouraged her to join the club as a way to showcase endless possibilities within the club. “We encouraged her to join so that we could show that nothing is impossible to a physically challenged person. Some women underestimate the potential in the club’s projects but Mrs Madeyi’s success is testimony to the wonderful work that the club is doing.” she said.

Mrs Madeyi was awarded the Best Trainee at the just ended Police General Headquarters KWC Provincial Mini-Show after she managed to attend all meetings and events. People who are physically challenged are sometimes regarded by some as unable to contribute to society in any meaningful way because of their disability, but Mrs Madeyi has done more in Kuyedza Women’s Club to prove she can match those who are not physically challenged.

Commissioner Mpofu

The Zimbabwe Republic Police will discharge its constitutional mandate of preserving peace by crushing unsanctioned demonstrations without fear as they are a menace to internal security.

The remarks were made by Commissioner Planning and Development, Commissioner Rabson Mpofu during a lecture at the Defence University recently.

Commissioner Mpofu, who was representing the Commissioner General of Police, Cde, Dr Augustine Chihuri, was delivering a lecture on, “The role of ZRP to the security of the country”.

While, the public has a right to demonstrate, Commissioner Mpofu said, these rights should be enjoyed with responsibility.

He further said demonstrations in themselves are foreign to African ways of dealing with conflict situations.

“We appreciate that members of society have a right to demonstrate, petition, but these rights are not absolute. They are exercised with responsibility. It cannot be rights with impunity.

“So far as you want to petition, to demonstrate against government, you need to do so responsibly.”

“Demonstrations are actually foreign to African conflict resolution mechanisms because they tend to encourage the single-minded pursuit of individuals and subvert the rights of others,” he said.

ZRP, he said, cannot allow a situation where the government can compel hard power (the military) to intervene when ZRP, the soft power can contain peace.

He said the increase in crime, petitions and demonstrations are a result of the demise of the African values of ubuntu that hinges on the notion that; ‘I am because you are’.

“We are slowly gravitating away from our way of life and that to me is a threat to our national security,” said Commissioner Mpofu.

He however said, ZRP has been able to contain peace and security through such initiatives as the Home Officers Scheme, Crime Consultative Committees (CCC) and the Junior Call Programmes.

Senior officers from various security forces from Zimbabwe and the region follow proceedings during the lecture by Commissioner Mpofu at the Defence University recently

What a man can do, a woman can do it, or even better. This is what inspires Superintendent Ballistic, Superintendent Tsitsidzashe Paradzayi, as she reflects on ZRP’s Women Network Equal Job Opportunities Key Result Area.

She is one senior female police officer who has climbed up the ladder to head Criminal investigations Department (CID) Forensic Ballistics, a section that examines firearms and explosives to aid police investigations.

The Ballistic section works together with CID Homicide and sometimes with the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Bomb Disposal Unit when invited to attend crime scenes where grenades and mortar bombs are used. On average, 30 cases are referred to this unit on a monthly basis.

“We basically do the examination of firearms recovered from crime scenes, suspects or accused persons arrested by police. We also examine recovered bullet heads and spent cartridges picked up from crime scenes to determine the type of weapon used. We also carry out comparisons to determine if the recovered firearms were used before the commission of other crimes, “said Superintendent Paradzayi.

As technical experts, she added, the Ballistics Section is also able to reconstruct crime scenes and give opinion on the type of weapon used, direction of bullet and distance of the shooter when the shot was fired in complicated cases. This information is crucial and assist the police in the investigation of cases where firearms have been used, especially in murder and armed robbery cases.

The Section uses a Computerised Leiker Comparison Macroscope, which is one of the gadgets used for speedy processing of accurate data in modern laboratories.

Superintendent Praradzayi urges fellow police officers to abide by the set standards of preserving exhibits like cartridges and bullets as spelt out in the ZRP Scientific Manual.

One of the principles is to avoid putting together the recovered bullets or cartridges in one plastic, as this may damage them or erase laser marks.

In cases when CID Ballistics Section is not able to attend the crime scene, she has this advice to police officers collecting evidence;

“Just park away from the scene to avoid driving over fired cartridges and spent bullets. Take note and photograph the position of weapons and any ammunition found at the crime scene, the position of the deceased and how he/she was lying and always consult where you are not sure of what action to do. “She said.

But what expertise is required for one to be a Forensic Ballistic expert? The Outpost learnt that it starts with one enrolling for an Armourer’s Course or Journeyman certificate which most female police officers were not taking in the past. With the introduction of Forensic Degree at the University of Zimbabwe, it is assumed that more female police officers will take up this course.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers recently auditioned for a police television programme, to be launched soon.

Twenty-eight (28) police officers were auditioned by Medianet’s production team in partnership with the ZRP Press and Public Relations Department.

After the first session, the number of participants was trimmed to 10 who had to undergo further auditions that saw four of them making it. These were then joined by two sign language presenters who are to be part of the production team.

The successful candidates are set to undergo an in-house training before the recording of the programme which is at an advanced stage.

Speaking to the participants soon after conducting auditions, Medianet Executive Producer, Mr Justice Dhliwayo said he was pleased with the way the auditions had gone as the zeal shown by the participants.

“I am pleased with the enthusiasm that everybody has put towards the auditions. You all have been amazing however not all of you will sail through as some of you performed better than others, “he said.

The key features of the television programme will include crime awareness, hints and tips, community news, feedback on wanted persons, missing persons as well as provincial focus.

The programme titled Crime Watch, is in the television magazine format or reality documentary and is pencilled to be shown during prime time viewing on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s Television (ZTV).

The programme is aimed at creating an opportunity to address safety and security issues which will consequently help in combating crime in the nation. It is also aimed at showcasing police investigation successes as well as demystifying myths and misconceptions about the police.

The Officer Commanding Masvingo Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo has bemoaned the slow pace by which farmers in Masvingo Province were embracing the cattle branding initiative which she said was greatly contributing to the loss and reduction of the national herd.

The senior officer made the remarks whilst addressing scores of people who recently gathered at Tagarika Business centre, in Mwenezi, to witness the cattle branding re-invigoration.

SAC Mofolo revealed that the province was holding about 500 stray cattle and it was proving very difficult for owners to positively identify their livestock as they did not have any brand marks.

“It is worrisome that the national head continues to dwindle as our farmers in Masvingo are failing to embrace some initiatives designed to save, protect and increase their livestock. Cattle are a symbol of wealth but it pains me to just look and see the owners of wealth losing it to undeserving members of the community, “she said.

She further revealed that Masvingo Province has the largest herd of cattle in the country and as such the province should jealously guard it.

“It should not be over emphasized that the country is proud of our province for having the largest herd in the country. Let us all play our part to preserve our wealth through various initiatives such as cattle branding.

“Let’s form a strong force against cattle rustling or any livestock related crimes by coming up with committees from the grassroots such as Village Anti-Stock Theft Committee that will incorporate all key stakeholders such as traditional leaders,farmers,Veterinary Services, Registrar General’s Offices and police among others, “said SAC Mofolo.

The senior officer said it was also a Southern African Development Committe (SADC) requirement that farmers brand their cattle to prevent cross border stock theft.

“Branding of cattle is not only done here in Zimbabwe but in the whole SADC region because cross- border theft of livestock is also a serious problem that we should solve collectively, “SAC Mofolo said.

Speaking at the same occasion, Chief Chitanga, Feleni Chauke said a strong force would be formed to deal decisively with cattle rustling in the area.

“People in Mwenezi should take heed of the message from police and work with all stakeholders in our area. When we work together we would reduce stock theft cases, “said Chief Chitanga.