By Flata Kavinga
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Mbizo has received a new ablution facility constructed by ferrochrome producer Zimasco at a cost of US$22,000, in a development expected to improve service delivery at the busy police station.
The facility was officially handed today by Zimasco management, with Officer Commanding Police Midlands – Administration, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Ngulube, presiding as guest of honour.
Speaking at the ceremony, Asst Comm Ngulube said the donation was a significant boost to the station, which serves a rapidly growing community in Kwekwe’s high-density suburb of Mbizo.
“Mbizo Police Station started off as a base in 1978 servicing about 20,000 residents. Today, the population has grown to more than 70,000, but the ablution facilities had remained the same,” he said.
The previous three toilets were condemned in 2020 after developing a pumping problem, leaving both police officers and members of the public without proper facilities for the past five years.
“This donation by Zimasco has cured a longstanding problem and will benefit both the police and the community who come here for various services,” Asst Comm Ngulube said.
He added that partnerships between the police and the business community were crucial under the community policing philosophy, as they enabled officers to work more effectively in creating safer environments.
Turning to crime, Asst Comm Ngulube noted that Mbizo continued to contribute a significant share of violent and property crimes in the province.
“Mbizo is known for contributing to statistics of murder, robberies, assault, unlawful entry and theft. Criminals are warned: the spirits of our officers have been revived by today’s donation. They will surely come for you,” he said.
He urged residents to work with the police in fighting crime, saying security was a shared responsibility.
Meanwhile, speaking at the handover ceremony, Zimasco chief operations officer Mapfumo said the company valued its relationship with the police, noting that law and order were critical in enabling businesses to operate effectively and contribute to national development.
“Zimasco is a corporate citizen of this country. Our business is in mining and smelting chrome ore to produce high carbon ferrochrome. For us to do our work and contribute towards the prosperity of our country, we need an enabling environment,” Mapfumo said.
“This is where the ZRP comes in, as an arm of government that ensures safety, law and order. The support we have received from ZRP Mbizo is very commendable, and we believe our relationship should remain symbiotic,” he added.
He said the company responded to a request from the police for improved ablution facilities after managers assessed the situation and found the station’s sanitation infrastructure inadequate.
The new block replaces facilities that had long been condemned, with the station previously struggling to cater for both officers and members of the public.
Mapfumo added that Zimasco had a history of supporting communities in Kwekwe, including providing clean water during the COVID-19 pandemic and participating in national clean-up campaigns.
“We believe this is the first of further assistance we will give to ZRP Mbizo, especially this police post which directly supports our operations nearby,” he said.
