ZRP reforms pay dividends — Minister Mpofu

GOVERNMENT has said reforms to transform the police force into an effective people-centred service have started to pay dividends following the praise they got from election observers.

Following the harmonised polls held on July 30, observers, in their preliminary reports, commended police for their professionalism in the election.

In an interview yesterday, Home Affairs and Culture Heritage Minister Dr Obert Mpofu said although the transformation of the police was an ongoing process, Government is satisfied with changes that have been achieved so far.

“Generally, we are receiving commendations from the observers and other stakeholders about the manner our forces, particularly the police, conducted themselves before and during the election. We are not doing badly, we will continue with the process of retraining, re-conscientisation and giving them the proper tools of trade to perform their duties,” said Dr Mpofu.

He said Government is not blind to the fact that the police are still ill-equipped and need resourcing.

“We are coming up with programmes that will ensure that the entire police force is transformed into an efficient, modern police service that will fulfil the aspirations of the people and those that are managing them. With limited gadgets and limited resources we laud their performance especially in regards to the just ended elections,” said Dr Mpofu.

He said for the police to be more efficient, the public is encouraged to report their weaknesses.