By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO – The Zimbabwe Republic Police in Masvingo province recently introduced drone
surveillance as part of a broader push to modernise policing, with the commanding officer now
appealing to business people and well-wishers to help acquire additional drones to enhance crime
monitoring across the region.
Speaking during the Client Service Charter Re-invigoration, Officer Commanding Masvingo
Province, Commissioner Fredrick Mbengwa, said two drones were already in operation, one
deployed in the Masvingo Central Business District (CBD) and another covering Mucheke and
Rujeko, where crime monitoring has been intensified.
“We have embraced technology by deploying drones to ensure safety and enhance professional
capacity. Currently we have two drones, one operating in the CBD and one in Mucheke and
Rujeko,” said Mbengwa.
He said the introduction of drones gives the force an aerial view to better monitor the vast
province and improves public safety. Body-worn cameras for officers have also been introduced,
marking a significant step in modernising policing methods and strengthening accountability.
While the initial deployment has improved aerial surveillance, the commissioner said more
drones were needed to ensure full coverage across the province.
“We enjoin businesspeople and well-wishers to help us acquire more drones to cover the entire
area,” said Mbengwa.
In addition to drones, police encouraged communities to pool resources and contribute towards
the purchase and installation of street cameras, describing them as “bigger reporters than the
police themselves” for their ability to provide real-time surveillance and aid in evidence
collection.
“We also need every member to enjoin on buying street cameras; they are bigger reporters than
the police themselves,” said Mbengwa.
However, he emphasised that technology alone could not replace public vigilance and urged
residents to continue reporting suspicious activities, saying active community participation is key
to improving safety and security across the area.
He said the police were not prophets or traditional healers who predict and guess where crime
happens but said they relied on the public for information.
“We don’t use bones, we don’t consult faith healers, we rely on you, and you are our bones so
give us information. If you provide information and it’s not acted upon then our offices are opn,
follow the chain of command and report,” he said.
The call for partnerships comes as the ZRP continues to embrace technology in policing. On July
30, 2025, 27 police officers graduated with drone pilots certificates at ZRP Sports Club in
Harare, part of the Commissioner-General’s thrust to modernise the force through the Electronic
Traffic Management System and the use of technology in crime management.
