Smart Anti-Crime Solutions
Zimbabwe employs cutting-edge Chinese hi-tech equipment to fight crime and narcotics abuse
Imagine Harare, Zimbabwe’s bustling capital, with no visible policing, but with public safety still reigning supreme. This is the way of the future, where instead of the men in blue, invisible guardians work silently and efficiently, using artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition and a network of cameras to weave a hi-tech web of safety. Crime prevention will even spread to drug cartels, that are set to be put on the back foot by cutting-edge anti-narcotics detection equipment.
This isn’t just a dream; it’s a reality taking shape. From facial recognition at border posts to state-ofthe-art narcotics labs, China has stepped up to become Zimbabwe’s tech partner in this bold transformation.
AI on the streets
According to Zimbabwe’s Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe, the country continues to embrace Chinese smart policing and technology methods, and it’s starting to pay dividends.
“I was talking to the ambassador about the absence of police officers on the streets of China. You would think there are no police in China and it’s because of technology. So, we thought we could cooperate in those areas as well,” Kazembe said during the handover of a state-of-the-art anti-narcotics lab from China early this year.
Plans are underway for Zimbabwe to adopt the Chinese model of using AI and other technologies to replace the need for visible police officers on the ground.
Christopher Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe’s former ambassador to China, told ChinAfrica that Zimbabwe received donations of facial recognition terminals from CloudWalk Technology, a company based in south China’s Guangdong Province five years ago. Zimbabwe is one of the first countries in Africa to benefit from Chinese artificial intelligence advancement.
The facial recognition terminals have been installed in all of the country’s points of entry for smoother passenger processing.
Facial scan technology is already widely used across China, both as a method of payment and in the field of security.
In 2019, Zimbabwe signed an agreement with CloudWalk that saw the Chinese company provide facial recognition for smart financial service networks, as well as intelligent security applications at airports, railway and bus stations, in ongoing collaboration.
Hi-tech fight against drug abuse
In January 2024, China equipped Zimbabwe’s police force with a state-of-the-art anti-narcotics lab.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the lab, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said the project fills the void in the forensic science laboratory need of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. “It will further improve Zimbabwe Republic Police’s capacity in drug identification, detection and analysis. I believe that such powerful detection tools will help to strengthen Zimbabwe’s capacity to combat drug crimes, and save lives,” said Zhou.
The intervention came as the nation grapples with a surge in drug abuse, particularly among its youth. Government officials hailed the move as a “milestone” in the fight against drug abuse.
Kazembe lauded the equipment as a “game-changer,” emphasising the economic and social burden of drug abuse and the need for stronger law enforcement.
According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, the equipment will make a huge difference in fighting drug and substance abuse in the country, thereby helping the country to rebuild the social fabric that is under threat from drug and substance use.
Kazembe said drug and substance abuse among youth breeds a non-productive community which negatively impacts Zimbabwe’s development. Drugs being sold on city streets include Crystal Methamphetamine, cough syrups and marijuana.
“It burdens the economy, as funds that could be used for other developmental purposes are channelled towards treatment and rehabilitation of those affected. It is therefore pleasing to note that this analysis equipment will go a long way in strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to identify drugs and improve detection levels,” said Kazembe.
Among the crime fighting kit is also equipment that can detect explosives and hazardous substances.
“Such level of investigative sophistication is the much-needed shot in the arm for our police officers as they wage the war on drugs,” said Kazembe, adding that modern policing is now hinged on the use of technology-driven practices.
Zimbabwe Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga pledged to utilise the new equipment to target drug cartels and dismantle local distribution networks, acknowledging the challenges at the country’s border entry points and the need for enhanced detection capabilities.
He noted that the government’s efforts to grow the economy and create more opportunities and better livelihoods for the youth would be in vain if the persisting drug menace is not contained.
“It therefore behoves us to enhance our capacity in detecting drug cargo at our ports of entry and exit, as well as redoubling our efforts to bust local drug syndicates and distribution networks,” said Matanga.
In addition, he said the equipment will go a long way in leveraging Zimbabwe police’s capacity to gather forensic evidence for the prosecution of drug-related crimes.
Additional smart assistance
Pardon Taodzera, lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe and political analyst, said Chinese technology could help in solving several crime cases.
“The adoption of advanced forensics tools, like DNA sequencers and digital forensics software from China, could significantly improve our investigative capabilities, especially in tackling transnational crimes,” he said.
“Chinese technology, like surveillance cameras and communication systems, can enhance crime prevention and public safety, making our communities more secure. Chinese companies often offer comprehensive training and support packages for their technology, which can benefit resource-limited police forces like ours,” said Taodzera.
Meanwhile, independent Zimbabwe consultant Nqobile Ndlovu told ChinAfrica that “Chinese technology is often more affordable than Western alternatives, allowing Zimbabwe to equip its forensic labs with essential tools despite budget constraints.”
Apart from crime fighting, there are a number of recent Chinese-assisted projects completed to assist the country with integrating hi-tech into all areas of its operation.
In early 2021, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the country’s National Data Centre in Harare, proclaiming the Chinese-built data hub key to the country’s economic advancement.
The centre compiles and digitises information from government records, along with material from private companies, such as banks.
China has also provided Zimbabwe with nearly $240 million to develop NetOne, the national mobile telecommunications system, which has its own data centres.
In addition, in 2020 Chinese technology giant Huawei launched its Smart Cities programme in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe began its five-year, $100-million project with Huawei to expand smart cities beyond Harare.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government is working with Chinese surveillance firm Hikvision in a pilot smart city project in the country’s fourth biggest city Mutare.
Since Zimbabwe launched its “Look East” policy in 2003, after the US and European countries slapped it with economic sanctions, China has assisted the country in areas of technology and farming, and even a space project.