MDC government will rename Zimbabwe Police force

By Tichaona Sibanda
26 February 2008

An MDC government led by Morgan Tsvangirai would add the word ‘Service’ to the name of the police, to restore public confidence and a sense of security from a restructured Zimbabwe Republic Police Service.

In its election manifesto launched on Saturday in Mutare, the MDC said once elected into power, they would immediately provide a comprehensive national police service to ensure safety and security of person and property.

The architect of this policy document, Sam Sipepa Nkomo the MDC secretary for Home Affairs, told Newsreel they would get rid of the word ‘force’ from the police in a new Zimbabwe. He said a new government would entrust them to provide ‘service’ and not ‘force’ to the peace loving people in Zimbabwe.

‘The Zimbabwe Republic Police has a proud record of service and achievement and has in the past been recognised as one of the best police services in Africa. Today an insidious process of politicization, low pay and poor working conditions, as well as a decline in both training and the provision of essential support services, are spoiling this record,’ Nkomo said. He said their party manifesto noted that as a consequence, community support - so crucial to an effective policing system – had broken down and crime was not being tackled effectively.

On leadership and senior staff appointments, the manifesto says it is critical for the restoration of the police service that it is apolitical and that all promotions should be on merit only. It has lost two thirds of its experienced and properly trained officers in the past five years and a massive recruitment and training programme is required to bring it to full strength.

‘Such a programme would be achieved by seeking a special relationship with police services in countries with similar historical and legal background. It may also be necessary to recall retired police officers to active duty and to request the assignment of senior staff from other police services elsewhere in the world,’ added Nkomo.

Nkomo is the MDC parliamentary candidate for Lobengula in Bulawayo.

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