by Shadreck Gurenje
President Mnangagwa has said discipline is a key cog to a security organization such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police serving as a compass that guides sound actions.
Giving his keynote address at 2025 Zimbabwe Republic Police Recruit Graduation ceremony today at Mukushi Police Academy in Harare, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said the ZRP is encouraged to remain alert and constantly review the syllabi to ensure best practices in smart policing.
The Head of State and Government also told the Zimbabwe Republic Police to remain resolute and demonstrate high levels of integrity and shun corruption all forms of corruption.
“The ZRP is encouraged to remain alert and constantly review the syllabi to ensure best practices in smart policing. Particular focus must be towards ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the justice delivery system, protection of human rights and environmental crimes to mention a few.
“The inclusion of field attachment and research as part of the training programme is plausible and helps to prepare trainees to better appreciate and handle the respective duties and environments upon graduation.
“Meanwhile, discipline is a key cog to a security organization such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, serving as a compass that guides sound actions. As officers in the field, you will encounter all forms and types of temptations that will test your character, judgement, resolve and indeed your patriotism.
“Remain resolute and demonstrate high levels of integrity. Shun corruption by whatever name. The image of the country and indeed of the Zimbabwe Republic Police rests upon your shoulders. Guard it jealously, ”said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also challenged the Zimbabwe Republic Police to cooperate with regional and international partners in fighting of drug and substance abuse
“The challenge of drug and substance abuse threatens to tear apart the fabric of our society and is further fueling the surge of violent crimes, undermining the security of the nation. The ZRP, working in close liaison with other stakeholders, must re-double their efforts to expunge the supply and demand side of the drug cartels.
“Cooperation with regional and international partners must be strengthened to end what has also become a regional and global scourge,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also calls upon all Zimbabweans to respect the country’s traffic laws and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in fighting serious crimes that affect the ordinary people.
“The high rate of indiscipline on our roads, which has resulted in the loss of countless lives due to road carnage, is disturbing. More worrisome is the fact that a total of 4 069 people were killed in road traffic accidents in 2024 compared to 2 104 in 2023, reflecting an astonishing 93% increase.
“The ZRP is challenged Zimbabwe Republic Police I call upon all Zimbabwean citizens to respect the country’s traffic laws and cooperate with law enforcement agencies. On another note, armed robbery cases are of grave concern. The ZRP must account for all those involved and our communities throughout the country should render maximum cooperation towards reducing crime. The growing trend of environmental crimes has become a great security threat. The ZRP must, therefore, enhance cooperation with relevant institutions such as the Environmental Management Agency, local authorities, as well as regional and international partners to address the issue,” said President Mnangagwa.
The two-year Diploma programme undertaken by the graduating class incorporated an elaborate syllabi of contemporary policing courses which included, among others: Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23); Police Duties and Investigation; Crime Investigations; Criminal Procedure and the Law of Evidence; Human Rights and Policing; Public Order Management; History of Policing and Civic Education; Community Policing; Basic Financial Accounting; and Information Communication and Technology.