Story by Peter Chivhima
As schools prepare to open for the third term of the year next week, school authorities have been implored to hid government’s directive to receive payments through banks and take necessary steps to avoid becoming targets of armed robbers.
“Our call to the schools and school authorities is that they should actually adhere to the government system whereby they should deposit school fees using the banking system. The wording of cash at schools is not advisable Why? Because schools become targets of criminals. We also even advise parents that as they go to pay their school fees, they should actually use the banking system to carry large sums of cash going straight to schools with cash. These who attract criminals would then target them and rob them of their money,” said ZRP National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Blessmore Chishaka.
Last term, seven schools fell victim to armed robberies, with some incidents occurring in broad daylight as was the case in Warren Park where an armed gang posed as parents intending to pay school fees.
“It is crucial that schools comply with government regulations and transition to using the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) or ZIG currency for all financial transactions. This imperative step will substantially reduce the risk of armed robberies, ensure a secure educational environment, and support the local economy,” said Director of Communications and Advocacy – Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro.
Lytton Primary School in Harare, Tafadzwa Primary School of Chitungwiza, Widdicombe Primary School in Hatfield, Ngezi Salvation Army Secondary School of Kadoma, Glen Norah 2 High School, and George Stark High School in Mbare all lost huge sums of cash to armed robbers last term.
Meanwhile, the ZRP has revealed the net is closing in on a suspected armed gang which pounced on a security company in Chipinge in which more than US$100 000 and over ZAR200 000 vanished.
“So far we have leads. We cannot rule out the issue of insiders. Preliminary investigations indicate that the five suspects who executed the heist were fed information by a mole in the company,” added Ass Com Chishaka.
It emerged that two Fawcett Security Company officers, George Nhamo Sithole and Dzime Sithole were on routine supervisory patrols around Chipinge when they were attacked by two masked men who were armed with pistols.
The armed robbers got away with the loot after forcibly getting the keys for the cash office.
