-as drug abuse surge
MARTIN MAWAYA
Gweru-The ZRP has recorded a 0.5% decline in criminal cases in the Gweru Urban District from January to September 2024, compared to the same period in the previous year.
The police reported that the district recorded 7,683 cases this year, down from 8,051 in the same period in 2023.
Officer Commanding Gweru Urban District, Enock Chishiri, attributed the downward trend to the implementation of community policing initiatives.
However, he noted a surge in cases of unlawful entry and cellphone theft, which he said were causing concern for the police department.
Regarding drug and substance abuse, Chishiri revealed that from January to date, police had arrested 148 individuals, with 42 of them identified as drug lords and 106 as consumers.
Chishiri revealed this during the re-launch of the Composite Crime Awareness Campaign against Gender Based Violence, Drug and Substance abuse and Stock theft in Gweru district yesterday.
He stressed that drug and substance abuse had “destroyed the social fabric, the future generations and the country.”
The police have also declared war on street vendors selling meat from buckets, with Chishiri stating that the “Nyama yabvepi” (Where did this meat come from?) operation will target all food outlets.
Chief Bunina of Lower Gweru emphasized the need for a collective effort to combat drug and substance abuse, as well as gender-based violence, stating that “if we put our heads together, we can win these ills.”
He called on residents to join community policing initiatives, such as the Neighborhood Watch, to help reduce crime and ensure the safety of children.
The police and community leaders have vowed to continue their efforts to address the persisting challenges of drug and substance abuse, while maintaining their focus on reducing overall criminal activity in Gweru Urban District.
