Police to shoot to kill armed criminals

Commissioner General Godwin Matanga speaks at funeral service for Insp Maxwell Hove

Zim Now Writer

Police have said that they will shoot to kill perpetrators of violent criminal activities to ensure members of the public live in a peaceful and crime-free environment.

This was revealed by Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga during the funeral service for the Officer-in-Charge of Wedza Police Station, Inspector Maxwell Hove, 43, who was one of the three people allegedly shot and killed by former Criminal Investigation Department officer, Jaison Muvevi in Wedza last Friday.

The other two murder victims Crispen Mubvana Kanerusine, 62, of Zinzombe Village, Hwedza and Munashe Majanhi, 20 of Majanhi Village, Hwedza were buried in Hwedza yesterday while Muvhevhi is in custody after the police successfully applied for a warrant for his further detention.

“Without doubt, it can never be right for any individual not to respect the sanctity of human life. We have also gathered with concern that despite Government’s amnesty on holders of unregistered firearms to surrender them, many such weapons are being recovered at crime scenes,” said Comm General Matanga.

He said police will not watch while innocent citizens, including police officers are decimated by unruly malcontents.

“Those with unregistered firearms would be deemed to have a criminal intent and would be liable for prosecution. Consequently, police officers would not hesitate to shoot to kill all perpetrators of heinous crimes such as armed robbery,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kanerusine and Mujanhi were buried yesterday in their respective villages while Insp Hove will be buried in Mberengwa today. Insp Hove is survived by his wife, Nelia and four children.