MARTIN MAWAYA
GOKWE–The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in the Midlands Province has made a rare public appeal for citizens to hold the force accountable, urging communities to report misconduct and demand improved service delivery.
Speaking at the provincial relaunch of the Police Client Service Charter in Gokwe, Officer Commanding Midlands Province Commissioner Patson Nyabadza challenged citizens to actively monitor police conduct and speak out when officers fall short of expected standards.
“To the people of Midlands, hold your Police Service accountable,” Nyabadza said. “Any untoward behaviour by our officers should be reported through the official channels outlined in the charter.”
The relaunched charter sets out minimum service standards, including professionalism, prompt response to reports and transparency in handling cases.
Nyabadza said complainants are now entitled to receive reference numbers and regular updates on their cases, a move aimed at addressing long-standing complaints that reports are often ignored or poorly handled.
The provincial event follows a national recommitment ceremony held in Harare earlier this year, where senior police officers pledged to improve service delivery and restore public trust.
Nyabadza acknowledged that relations between the police and communities have at times been strained, saying the force was taking deliberate steps to rebuild confidence.
Among the reforms are the compulsory wearing of name tags by officers on deployment and the introduction of body-worn cameras.
Nyabadza said the measures are designed to deter misconduct, enhance transparency and protect officers from false accusations.
The police chief described the charter as a “covenant” between the police and citizens, stressing that accountability was a shared responsibility requiring communities to report crime and misconduct without fear.
His remarks come amid persistent public criticism over alleged slow response to crime scenes, heavy-handedness and lack of feedback on reported cases.
Analysts say meaningful accountability within law enforcement will be critical to restoring public confidence, a key ingredient in creating the stable social and economic environment envisaged under the government’s Vision 2030 agenda.
