Owen Dhliwayo
Checheche community launched neighborhood committee, a pioneering initiative aimed at combating crime and celebrating self-organized community efforts to enhance safety.
The event was held at Checheche Primary School, brought together residents, law enforcement agents, traditional leaders and local business-people to mark a new era of collaboration and collective action against crime.
Guest of Honor at the launch, Office Commanding Chipinge District, Chief Superintendent Chimano outlined the role of the law enforcement agents at maintaining law and public order, preventing and investigating crimes and protecting ordinary citizens.
“Police is ensuring that people are dealt with according to the dictates of the law, and are treated equally before the law. If a crime is alleged to have been committed, it is the role of the police to take the alleged perpetrator to the court of law for determination,” he said
He went on to highlight the importance of community policing as a newly adopted strategy to fight crime through building trust and partnership between law enforcement agents and the community.
“This event bear testimony to the fact that the community in Checheche growth point has grasped the concept of community policing, a policy followed by the ZRP in its quest to fight crime. It is a concept whereby the community is heavily engaged in the fight against crime,” he added.
Speaking at the same event, Headman Zamchiya, a traditional leader applauded the neighborhood watch committee initiative.
“This initiative will work towards reducing crime rate in and around Checheche growth point, a situation that will lift a burden on traditional leaders in terms of fighting crime,” she said.
“I urge the local businesspeople to act with integrity and avoid the tendency to offer bribes to law enforcement agents as this will hamper the efforts to fight crime, and on the other hand, it is prudent for bars and bottle stores to close at stipulated times to buttress the efforts to fight crime.”
The neighborhood watch committee launch marks a significant milestone in Checheche’s fight against crime, demonstrating the power of collective action and community led initiatives.
Director Platform for Youth and Community Development, Claris Madhuku says the neighborhood watch committee was significant considering the cases of organized crime being reported. He says the program may enhance crime prevention strategies through identification of crime hotspots and promote community engagement and education on crime prevention.
“It is a welcome development, considering that there has been reported cases of organized crime. The critical challenge to ensure that the initiative work closely with the police for it to be a sustainable way of dealing with crime,” Claris Madhuku, Director of PYCD pointed out.
