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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Home Affairs Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema has urged members of the public to heed Government directives to end vending in central business districts countrywide to curb the spread of cholera.

More than 31 people have succumbed to cholera, while over 6 500 others have been treated. Most of the cases are from Glen View and Budiriro.

Addressing a Press conference in Harare on Wednesday after a familiarisation tour of the Police General Headquarters and Morris Depot, Minister Mathema said: “I wish to commend the police for joining hands with other Government departments and civic organisations in an effort to combat the cholera outbreak. I call upon members of the public to comply with Government directives to stop vending in the central business districts.”

During the tour, Minister Mathema had an interactive meeting with Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, his deputies and the entire police command.

He said the tour accorded him the chance to get first-hand information on policing activities.

“The tour was an eye-opener as it enlightened me on the operations of police departments and challenges that impede effective service delivery,” said Minister Mathema. The police, he said, has made strides to computerise its departments, but a lot still needs to be done. Minister Mathema said contemporary policing required advancement in technology.

“In some technologically advanced countries, the police are able to monitor the flow of traffic and criminal activities from a central point,” he said.

“Our police is no doubt failing to cope with the rapid advancement of technology, which is aiding criminal sophistication. The police needs to be equipped with modern tools of the trade and enabled through technology.”

He cited office and accommodation as posing a significant challenge with many police officers having to rent private accommodation, some of which compromised the integrity of the police and Government.

“It is evident that infrastructure needs to be in place with staffing growth to ensure that our police officers are accommodated in modern buildings both at work and home,” he said.

Minister Mathema said his ministry was committed to addressing some of the challenges and pledged to work with Comm-Gen Matanga to find a lasting solution for the police to be able to effectively discharge their mandate.

He made an undertaking to engage Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube to address budgetary constraints and improve conditions of service for police officers.