By Chipo Gudhe

Police in Kwekwe have arrested 12 suspects and recovered an assortment of dangerous weapons, including fake firearms, stunners, knives and machetes, in a major operation targeting rising cases of violent crime in the city.

The arrests were made under an ongoing operation code-named “No to Illegal Firearms, Dangerous Weapons or Toy Guns,” launched to curb armed robberies, murders and other violent crimes in the mining and agribusiness hub.

Midlands Provincial Police Assistant Commissioner (Administration), Christopher Ngulube, told journalists at a parade in Kwekwe on yesterday that most of the weapons, particularly the imitation guns, were linked to high-profile robbery cases in the city.

“Kwekwe is known for its agribusiness and mining industries, and as such there is a lot of cash circulating in the town. This has also attracted numerous cases of murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery. To restore public safety, we embarked on this operation which includes roadblocks, stop-and-searches, and monitoring of firearm dealers in partnership with Zimra to flush out illegal imports,” Ngulube said.

He said police were determined to ensure communities conducted their business without fear, stressing that illegal dealers and shops selling offensive weapons would also be investigated.

Detective Chief Inspector Samuel Gono, Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department in Kwekwe, said the crackdown had exposed the widespread use of fake firearms in violent crimes.

“We have fake pistols, also known as blowguns, that sound like real guns. In most robbery cases, criminals have been using these shaky pistols, though some also use real firearms. We identified shops selling these weapons, many of which were smuggled into the country without paying duty,” Gono said.

He added that the exercise was supported by a prohibition order issued under the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA), which came into effect on August 14 and runs for three months. The order bans the carrying and use of offensive weapons such as machetes, knives and stunners.

Among the recoveries showcased by police were imitation rifles, pistols, shock-inducing stunners, and various knives that had been confiscated during patrols.

Police said the operation will continue until all illegal weapons and their suppliers were flushed out, warning that anyone found in possession of such arms faced arrest.