CommuTalk Reporter
SHURUGWI– Residents of Dorset resettlement area in Ward 21 are not happy with the conduct of some members of the Neighborhood Watch Committee (NWC) affiliated with the Dorset Police Base.
Allegations of kangaroo courts, extortion, and general abuse of power have prompted calls for immediate intervention from relevant authorities.
The accusations surfaced during a fact-finding meeting held on April 5 at the local ward centre, attended by Officer-In Charge (OIC) Chief Inspector Hazvineyi Jindu and the investigative team from ZRP Shurugwi.
The meeting was arranged in response to growing discontent within the community regarding the actions of certain NWC members.
Scores of villagers attended the meeting, eager to voice their grievances.
Leonard Sibanda, a resident who openly admitted to a past history of criminal activity, spoke about the need for integrity within the local policing structure.
“It’s unfortunate that some members of the community don’t know that I am now a changed man. I reformed after finding that crime is retrogressive and you lose a lot of time languishing in prison.
“Today, I am happy that the Officer In charge Shurugwi Police, Chief Inspector Jindu is here. It pains me to see officers being led astray by Neighborhood Watch Committee members. I think there is a need for you to stem out such bad elements within the police force,” Sibanda told the fact-finding mission.
Echoing Sibanda’s concerns, Tafara Mubereki questioned the OIC about the apparent lack of training provided to some NWC members.
He raised concerns about the repercussions of entrusting law enforcement duties with undertrained officers who might not fully comprehend the consequences.
He added that some members of the committee take the law into their own hands.
“They treat suspects as criminals, beating them along the way and demanding bribes.
Some of them do not respect elderly people and treat old persons as their children,” said Mubereki.
The complaints paint a picture of a community where residents feel vulnerable to abuse of power by those entrusted with maintaining law and order.
The alleged actions of the NWC members, if proven true, erode trust in the local police force and undermine the purpose of community policing.
Chief Inspector Jindu, assured the community leadership that the allegations would be thoroughly investigated.
She called for community collaboration in maintaining law and order, but stressed that any abuse of power would not be tolerated.
She added that if the investigations prove the accusations to be true, she would not hesitate to relieve these voluntary community policing officers of their duties.
The situation in Dorset highlights the delicate balance required in effective community policing.
While Neighborhood Watch Committees can play a crucial role in crime prevention and information gathering, adequate training, oversight, and accountability mechanisms are essential to prevent abuse.
