MARTIN MAWAYA
Gweru Urban has emerged as the leading district in the Midlands Province in crime detection, boasting a remarkable 70% success for the first half of 2025, police have revealed.
This achievement was announced during a colourful awards ceremony held in Gweru to honour outstanding police officers.
Officer Commanding Gweru Urban District, Chief Superintendent Leon Marongedze attributed the success to several strategic policing initiatives including increased visibility, enhanced patrols, community policing, and intelligence-led operations.
Between January and June 2025, Gweru District recorded a total of 7,386 criminal cases, of which 5,158 were successfully detected, surpassing the national crime detection benchmark of 50 percent.
“This milestone is a reflection of the professionalism, dedication and sheer hard work of our officers, many of whom faced considerable challenges in the course of their duties,” said Chief Superintendent Marongedze.
He noted that the police officers’ efforts have resulted in a safer and more peaceful community, with most offenders now serving jail terms while others await trial.
The event, which celebrated exceptional service in policing, also highlighted the critical role of community support in crime fighting.
“These awards could not have been achieved without the cooperation of the public,” said the superintendent. “The community is our backbone. Our relationship is like that of water and fish. We, the police, are the fish, and the community is the water.”
In line with the current ZRP policing theme “Policing for Excellence in Pursuit of a Peaceful, Safe and Secure Zimbabwe for All by 2025”, the district has embraced community initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Watch Committees, Crime Liaison Groups, Business Against Crime forums, and Anti-Stock Theft Committees as key strategic partners.
Members of the public were encouraged to make use of suggestion boxes dotted around the province to share information or tips that may assist in police work.
While commending officers on parade, Chief Superintendent Marongedze warned against complacency and reminded officers of the importance of integrity and professionalism in policing.
“The ZRP has no room for corruption. Any rogue officers will be weeded out of the system,” he declared, emphasizing the organisation’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct.
The event was also supported by the private sector, with Size Investments sponsoring the “Cop of the Month” awards, a programme credited for improving morale and performance within the rank and file of the police service.
Among those who were recognized include Sergeant Shanje, Constable Kapita, Assistant Inspector Nyaumwe, Constable Grace Gumbo, Assistant Inspector Shumba and Constable Muleya, with each walking away with $100 courtesy of Size Investments.
