Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
AT least 106 security guards been attacked by criminals this year during 644 armed robberies recorded in Harare.
During the same period last year, a total of 466 armed robberies were recorded with 57 on premises manned by security guards.
Yesterday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, security companies and other stakeholders met in Harare to discuss various ways to curb such cases.
The Officer Commanding Crime in Harare Province, Assistant Commissioner Peter Sibanda, said law enforcement was a collective effort done through a range of security organisations.
Assistant Commissioner Sibanda expressed concern over the recent increase in armed robberies and said security officers need to have proper training in weapons handling and the use of firearms.
“In the period from January to October 2023, the province received a total of 466 robbery cases using firearms. And if we compare the same period with what is currently occurring this year, we have so far received 644 robbery cases using firearms.”
“To date, as of October, we now have 106 cases of robbery using firearms where security personnel are gathered. It is a cause for concern.”
Asst Comm Sibanda said with these figures, there was a need for a holistic approach on how best robberies can be curbed in the province.
“Is it good for business? Obviously, the answer is no. Is it good for the public? Obviously, the answer is no. So if it is not good for business, it is not good for the public.
“So what should we do as security personnel? What should we do as both private and public policy? So those are the answers and the questions that we need to address. The questions that we need to unpack and look at from a holistic perspective and look at how best we can then confront this situation,” he said.
On robberies without firearms and other weapons, Asst Comm Sibanda said in 2023 police saw 1 073 cases reported as compared to 973 this year.
“There is a slight decrease but what is worrisome is a situation of robbery using other weapons that took place in places where there were security personnel. In 2023, only 31 cases were received. And as of October this year, we have received 46.
“Again, that’s an increase. Now, the moment we allow people to commit offences using firearms and nothing happens, we are creating a horrible situation that might be very difficult for us to control. It’s a situation that may be very difficult for us to control.
“Our observation is that there appears to be serious communication gaps between private security or private police and public police,” Asst Comm Sibanda said.
The Officer Commanding Harare province, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, said police were witnessing not only a rise in traditional crimes, like thefts, robberies, burglaries and others, but also the emergence of advanced tactics that criminals employed to evade security measures.
“Notably, the use of firearms in crime has trebled, underscoring the urgent need for your security guards to be vigilant, well-trained, and adequately equipped.
“It is essential to consider increasing the number of guards on duty, as robbers often operate in gangs of more than three. Be advised, that our modern-day criminals are increasingly daring, perhaps fuelled by the drugs they consume; they strike even in broad daylight,” he said.
“Many of these individuals are career criminals who live off illegal activities. Such full-time criminals cannot be effectively countered by less committed security personnel. Therefore, I call for enhanced supervision and monitoring of your guards to ensure that they remain alert”.
Comm Chikunguru said it was also vital to provide proper remuneration to motivate security guards to excel in their duties, as they may be tempted to abandon their posts if they feel the risks outweigh the rewards.
In a speech read on his behalf by Assistant Commissioner Sithulisiwe Mthimkhulu, who is responsible for operations and crime in Chitungwiza, Comm Chikunguru said police were particularly concerned about the alarming rise in insider jobs, where some security guards were becoming embroiled in criminal activities.
“Some guards are staging cash-in-transit robberies, while others leak critical information to criminals. There have been instances where guards collude with criminals to steal from the very premises they are sworn to protect. Take, for example, the Sanyati bank robbery, where an armed guard turned against the bank manager and employees to steal substantial amounts of cash.
“This is just one of many incidents that tarnish the reputation of the security industry. It raises the pressing question: who will guard the guard? To address these pressing issues, I challenge you, managers of the security industry, to employ well-vetted guards,” he said.
Comm Chikunguru said honesty should be a key characteristic for anyone in this role. “Implement continuous monitoring of your guards; lifestyle audits can help you ascertain if they are living beyond their means. Familiarise yourself with their backgrounds and behaviours to ensure they align with their responsibilities,” he said.
“Do not hesitate to terminate the employment of individuals with criminal histories. Never compromise your integrity for profit by hiring criminals. If your guards continue to be implicated in crime, we will have no choice but to view your organisation as a criminal syndicate masquerading as a security provider”.
leeroy mupariri
