By Wenceslaus Murape
POLICE have ordered their officers to shoot to kill when they encounter carjackers and armed robbers. This follows the fatal shooting of a detective on Wednesday by a carjacker.
Detective Assistant Inspector Thadius Chapinga was shot dead by a carjacker he was taking to Braeside Police Station.
During a memorial service for the slain officer at Morris Depot in Harare yesterday, the Officer Commanding CID Senior Assistant Commissioner Simon Nyathi warned criminals that they faced the full wrath of the law.
“They have started a war they will never win. As police, we now have orders to shoot and kill such perpetrators,” said Snr Asst Comm Nyathi.
“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.”
He said the ZRP would never tire of their mandate to protect people, their property and ensure peaceful existence. Snr Asst Comm Nyathi described Det Asst Insp Chapinga as a diligent officer who had died during the course of his duties.
“Aive pabasa asi mabhinya anotambudza vanhu akapfuudza hupenyu hwake. Hondo yacho haipere,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm said this was their fourth gathering within two years at Morris Depot to hold a memorial service for a slain officer.
“In 2010, we gathered here twice after the slaying of Sergeant Joseph Maximus and Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chatikobo while they were on duty. Last year, we held another memorial service for Inspector Petros Mutedza after he was killed by hooligans in Glen View,” he said.
Det Asst Insp Chapinga was born on May 3, 1976 in Murakata Village, Bikita, Masvingo. He was attested into the ZRP on October 31, 1997 and was later assigned to the Police Protection Unit.
In November 2000, Det Asst Insp Chapinga was transferred to CID in Harare where he was attached to various sections. He rose to the rank of Det Asst Insp and served in the Zimbabwe UN Peacekeeping Mission to Sudan for six months in 2010.
Since his return, Det Asst Insp Chapinga had been attached to CID Vehicle Theft Squad. He is survived by a wife and three children, two boys and a girl. Det Asst Insp Chapinga will be buried today at his rural home in Bikita.
