School authorities have been urged to direct Parents and guardians to deposit school fees and other payments with financial institutions in the wake of a spate of robberies that have seen schools being targeted.
The police have received several armed robbery complaints from schools in the first few days of schools opening. So far there are reports of three schools having been targeted in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi.
In one of the cases, unidentified assailants pounced on George Silundika High School at corner George Silundika Street and Third Avenue, Bulawayo on 6th January 2024, where they allegedly stole US$17 280.00 cash which was in a cash box.
Another case occurred at Lomagundi College, in Chinhoyi on 9th January 2024, where 12 unidentified suspects attacked security guards before stealing undisclosed amount of cash, a pistol, a Mazda Tribute motor vehicle, cellphones and laptops, among other valuables.
“School authorities are urged to step up security measures at schools and employ guards from reputable security service providers who constantly monitor and review deployments. Above all, school authorities should install CCTV at points of entry and administrations offices.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned that some of these robbery cases are resulting from leakage of information. Members of the public are warned that those who provide inside information to robbery syndicates will be arrested. Police crack teams are firm on the ground and will pounce on armed robbery syndicates for the law to take its course in earnest,” said National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi in a statement.