Police challenged to fight corruption without fear Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba
Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba

Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
POLICE have been challenged to fight corruption without fear or favour as suggested by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Officer Commanding Bulawayo province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba, said this yesterday at the hand over of a renovated and modernised Central Police Station Charge Office.

Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) renovated the Charge Office at a cost of $30 000 as part of its corporate social responsibility.

The Charge Office has been given a major facelift with Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) equipment which will see the police electronically capturing information.

Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said under the new political dispensation, police should assist in the rebuilding of Zimbabwe through fighting corruption.

“To the police officers, in line with our constitutional mandate and in support of the new dispensation, we should reciprocate this good gesture by giving the community a service which is above reproach. It is time, more than ever, that we are accepted by the community to help in the building of our country. The speech by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, made mention of the need to eradicate corruption. Do not be part of it, fight it without fear or favour. Conform to service standards and your contribution will be worthwhile,” he said.

Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said the police force has to rebrand its image in the eyes of the public who had lost confidence in their services.

He said the police should not disrupt people’s festivities in their policing duties.

“As we’re now in the festive mood, let us guard against criminals and let our people enjoy themselves. Let us be visible to the public and make friends with them in an effort to assert our role as crime prevention officers,” said Snr Asst Comm Mutamba.

He said the police alone cannot succeed in fighting corruption and urged the public to assist them in any way possible.

Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) will promote accountability at the Charge Office which handles over 1 500 clients daily.

“The CCTV which was put in place will go a long way in the evaluation of the transparency of our service delivery and in the security of our premises as an organisation. We will now be able to technically supervise our members, be warned,” he said. Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said the term Charge Office should be revised to Front Office as part of the police rebranding exercise as the former creates a sense of hostility.

“Our Front Office not the Charge Office, which implies a hostile institution, is indeed the face of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and its relevance cannot be over emphasised. The appearance of the reception speaks volumes of who we are and what we stand for in society,” he said.

@nqotshili

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