By Dickson Bandera
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for increased investment in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), describing adequate resourcing as essential to modern policing and national security.
The President made these remarks during the official renaming of Tomlinson Depot to Chimoio Camp and the commissioning of the newly constructed Chimoio Police Camp Flats in Harare.
Speaking at the event, President Mnangagwa underscored that decent housing and improved welfare for officers are vital to effective policing.
“Our public servants require safe and good places to stay with their families for them to be effective in the delivery of quality services.
This is no different for our police officers, who carry out very important and demanding roles in our society by maintaining law and order as well as safeguarding our peace and security,” the President said.
He noted that the current police service requires substantial resources to ensure adequate institutional accommodation across the country and committee more investment towards this endeavor.
“As such, my administration will continue to explore innovative ideas and strategies to provide decent institutional accommodation for officers. This should ensure that the deployment or transfer of officers and their families to other stations is seamless, with minimum disruptions.”
The President also challenged government ministries responsible for housing to accelerate the delivery of accommodation for public servants.
“I challenge the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Ministries of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Local Government and Public Works as well as National Housing and Social Amenities, among other stakeholders in the built environment, to scale up collaboration and innovation towards addressing the housing needs for the civil service in general,” he said.
“The need to revamp and strengthen the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s construction units in all provinces must be urgently addressed,” he added.
The newly commissioned residential flats, part of the government’s ongoing infrastructure development efforts, are aimed at easing accommodation challenges within the police force.
He also emphasised the importance of broader resource mobilisation to enable the ZRP to respond effectively to evolving security threats.
“Resources will continue to be mobilised to capacitate the Police to effectively deal with emerging challenges, which include transnational organised crimes, armed robberies and road traffic accidents,” he noted.
During the gathering — which also marked the renaming of Tomlinson Depot to Chimoio Camp — the President highlighted the symbolic importance of replacing colonial-era names with those that reflect Zimbabwe’s liberation history and identity.
“The renaming of this Depot to Chimoio Camp marks yet another milestone and step towards dismantling colonial legacies. The sacrifices made by our gallant sons and daughters, including at Chimoio Camp, should inspire our officers to conduct their duties diligently.”
The renaming of Tomlinson Depot to Chimoio Camp stands as a tribute to Zimbabwe’s liberation legacy.
“Through such deliberate initiatives, we are giving our country a truly Zimbabwean identity and memorialising the significance of Chimoio Camp in Mozambique,” the President said, adding, “Zimbabwe shall always remain eternally indebted to the Frontline States.”
With Vision 2030 in focus, President Mnangagwa reiterated that peace, stability, and a well-supported security sector are essential pillars of national development.
“Let us take advantage of the peaceful and stable environment to work hard in every sector,” he concluded.
The commissioning of the Chimoio Camp Residential Flats represents not just improved infrastructure, but also a renewed commitment to building a people-centred, professional, and well-resourced police service for the nation.
