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'Police to Act On Groups Bent On Undermining Authority'

The Herald (Harare)
NEWS
December 21, 2002
Posted to the web December 23, 2002
Harare
Police will act on pressure groups bent on undermining Government authority by
agitating for civil unrest and stayaways, Deputy Commissioner Godwin Matanga
said yesterday.
"Such organisations should not cry foul when the long arm of the law eventually
catches up with them. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will not sit on its laurels
in the face of this conspiracy to undermine security in the country," Dep Com
Matanga said when he officially opened a crime workshop in Harare.
He took a swipe at police officers who engaged in opposition politics, saying
they furthered the interests of imperialism and neo-colonialism and frustrated
the Government's quest for economic emancipation.
"Such misguided elements are reminded to absolve themselves from this noble
duty of policing the nation," he said.
The deputy commissioner said it was important for the country's senior officers
to familiarise themselves with Government policies.
He said the only way modern- day policing could find meaning in the country was
through putting people's aspirations ahead of everything else.
"Our loyalty as ZRP is to the people, the country and the law," he said.
Dep Com Matanga said the police planning and development section would be
carrying out a public opinion survey in January 2003 to re-market their service
charter.
Public relations officers at stations would assist to make the event a success
as the outcome of the survey was critical in the formulation of policies that
would guide the organisation in attaining a superior status in service
delivery.
He also said the fast-track resettlement programme presented the police with
policing challenges.
The formation of foreign- funded political parties, which resulted in incidents
of political violence in some instances, was also a challenge, he said.
"I am gratified by the performance of the ZRP during these trying times,
notwithstanding the avalanche of unjustified criticism by the private and
international media," Dep Com Matanga said.
He urged officers to be firm during this festive season, especially when
dealing with traffic offenders on the roads.

   

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