CID’S COMMUNITY POLICING TACTICS REAPING IMMEDIATE REWARDS

Arron Nyamayaro

THE Criminal Investigations Department’s community policing tactics are reaping immediate rewards with a number of arrests following tip-offs from members of the public.

The CID section officers have been taking their campaign to schools, churches and on the streets.

Some of the detectives, including Detective Constable Tinashe Chikumbo of the Minerals, Flora and Fauna unit, and Detective Sergeant Fanuel Nyamusa of CID Public and Relations, are poets.

They have been packaging their anti-crime messages into poetry and preaching at the schools, churches and on the streets. Six men were arrested in separate areas for vandalising public utilities.

In a statement CID spokesperson, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, confirmed the arrest of Onias Mherekumombe, 33, Coster Mahlahla, 24, Felix Tachiona, 24, and Mandhlenkosi Nyati, 26, all of Bulawayo, for failing to give an satisfactory account of their possession of copper.

The four were on board a Nissan March car and, upon being searched, a sack containing copper cables was recovered stashed in the vehicle.  Further investigations led to the recovery of additional two sacks loaded with copper cables.

In Zhombe, Shadreck Gerald Mbirimi, 28, of Kwekwe, and his two accomplices — Brendon and Nathan Kangundu — were arrested.

“The four went to Zororo Business Centre where they vandalised a ZESA transformer before cutting some PVC armoured cables.

“The motor vehicle used in the commission of the crime and a total of three sacks of copper cables have since been recovered following the arrest of the suspects.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is now appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspect. In a related matter, police in Zvishavane arrested Albert Moyo, 51, of Njini Village under Chief Mahlebadza in Mberengwa.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to warn members of the public against vandalism of public utilities,” said Det Insp Muteweri.