Masvingo Mayor cracks whip on indiscipline
BY SAMUEL NJINGA
Masvingo Mayor Aleck Tabe has issued a stern warning against corruption and indiscipline, declaring that the city has “no place for incompetent elements,” as 32 newly recruited municipal guards graduated following an intensive training programme aimed at tightening law enforcement and restoring order.
Speaking at a colourful pass-out ceremony held at the City of Masvingo municipal offices, Mayor Tabe cautioned the recruits that their conduct would be closely scrutinised as they assume frontline roles in maintaining law and order.
“The City of Masvingo does not have any place for incompetent, indisciplined and corrupt elements,” he said.
“Any errant behaviour will be dealt with decisively. As municipal officers, you are the frontliners in protecting the integrity of the city and ensuring that law and order prevail.”
The mayor’s remarks come at a time when urban centres across Zimbabwe are grappling with rising concerns over illegal activities, including unregulated street vending and drug abuse, issues he directly confronted in his address.
The cohort, comprising 22 male and 10 female officers, successfully completed a gruelling two-week training programme designed to equip them with the skills required to enforce municipal by-laws and enhance community safety.
Fourteen officers graduated with distinctions, underlining the rigour of the programme. Two female officers, Mativenga and Chapungu, stood out after earning distinctions and special recognition for outstanding performance.
Training was conducted at Runyararo Primary School, where recruits underwent a demanding 24-hour day-and-night schedule over the two-week period, reflecting the city’s push to produce disciplined and resilient municipal officers.
The programme combined both theoretical and practical modules tailored to the realities of municipal policing. Recruits were drilled in physical fitness, endurance, parade discipline, and self-defence, alongside specialised training in crowd control and public order management.
They were also equipped with critical competencies in municipal by-laws enforcement, crime prevention strategies, conflict resolution, communication skills, and ethical conduct in public service. Additional areas included patrol techniques, report writing, handling public complaints, and managing offences such as illegal street vending and public nuisance violations.
Mayor Tabe used the platform to escalate the city’s fight against drug and substance abuse, describing it as a growing threat requiring a united front.
“It is time we unite as stakeholders to fight against the drug and substance abuse virus. It is the duty of every stakeholder to ensure that we get rid of drug and substance abuse in our communities,” he said.
He further urged the newly minted officers to prioritise continuous learning and self-improvement in order to enhance their effectiveness in service delivery.
“You must work towards upgrading yourselves in order to fulfil the hierarchy of needs and reach self-actualisation,” he added.
The pass-out ceremony drew a large crowd of municipal officials, councillors, community leaders and residents, signalling strong public interest in efforts to restore order and improve service delivery in the city.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Town Clerk Edward Mukaratirwa, Housing Director Simbarashe Mandishona, Chamber Secretary Vitalis Shonhayi, and all Masvingo Urban councillors.
Town Clerk Mukaratirwa commended the recruits for their discipline and resilience throughout the demanding training programme, expressing confidence in their ability to execute their duties with professionalism.
Housing Director Mandishona, who delivered the introductions, underscored the importance of strengthening municipal enforcement structures to address growing urban management challenges.
