Online Reporter
Crime Reporter
Parents and transporters have been urged by the police to prioritise the safety and security of children as schools open for the 2025 first term today.
Transport operators were challenged to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and certified fit to carry passengers before transporting children to schools.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said drivers should also obey traffic rules and regulations all the time to prevent road accidents.
“As schools open for the new term, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to parents, guardians, school authorities and the general public to prioritise the safety and security of children,” he said.
“The safety of learners during movements to and from school is of paramount importance,” he said.
Parents and school authorities were also advised to ensure learners do not travel at night, as this can expose them to various risks, including road accidents.
Critically, school authorities were urged to use the formal banking system to deposit school fees and tuition-related costs to eliminate cases of armed robbery attacks.
Police argue that keeping large sums of cash at school premises attracts criminal attention.
“Criminals often gather information from individuals close to school authorities and staff and end up exploiting this information to target the schools.
“In this regard, school authorities should be careful on how financial transactions are conducted,” Comm Nyathi said.
The public should also be vigilant and report suspicious criminal activities to the police as soon as they see them.
The suspicious activities can be reported on National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest police station.
Schools that do not bank money were targets of armed robbery attacks last year, despite police advice.
Armed robberies involving guns, machetes, and iron bars have been on the rise, particularly as schools reopen and parents pay fees.
daniel chigunwe
