‘Zim Police to be guided by the Holy Spirit,’ says Chihuri

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) now wants to target the “spirit” following the Budiriro apostolic sect fiasco and will be deploying a Chaplain at every station across the country, Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri said last week.

Chihuri’s force was left reeling after about 20 officers were bludgeoned by apostolic sect members belonging to the Johanne Masowe eChishanu church using “shephered staffs” following an abortive bid to “ban” on apostolic sect in Budiriro two weeks ago.

He told a graduation of 403 police recruits that he wanted to make sure  the police force is from henceforth “guided by the Holy Spirit”.

“I am confident that our Chaplains will teach sound gospel doctrines so that our police officers are always guided by the Holy Spirit in all their interactions and endeavours. We are fully conscious  that a person is composed of the body, the soul and the spirit. Over  the years we have  focused  on training  the body and soul without  giving  particular  attention  to the spirit which is core,” said Chihuri.

Five police officers were hospitalised after members of the apostolic sect led by fugitive leader Madzibaba Ishmael turned violent after an attempt by the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) to “ban” the church over a plethora of misdemeanours among them women and child-abuse.

“I am therefore gratified that the organisation has further  strengthened the Chaplaincy Office  through the establishment of Chaplains at every station  in order  to complement  existing  structures  at district and provincial levels .The major aim is to help  deal with  the spiritual  wellbeing  of our police  officers,” said Chihuri.

He also said the police will continue to carry out its mandate as per constitutional requirement.

“Let me state without any equivocation that the Zimbabwe Republic Police derives its genesis and mandate from Section 219 of the constitution of Zimbabwe.

“Thus, our duty as police is to maintain  law and order as well as to arrest  any offender for any breaches of the laws of this country. In this  regard, our mission is to safeguard  the lives  and property of  the people  we serve, as well as reducing  fear of crime  in order to enhance  public safety and security,” he said.