Arron Nyamayaro
POLICE Commissioner General Godwin Matanga has acknowledged that the successful execution of VIP protection is vital for the nation’s security and socio-economic development.
Comm Gen Matanga was speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service VIP Protection Course.
Among the 202 graduates were 45 females who underwent training at Shamva Battle Camp.
He encouraged graduates to exhibit high levels of vigilance and knowledge, insisting on adherence to the principles of necessity, legality and proportionality when using firearms.
The number of drug and substance abusers in the country is a cause for concern, and Comm Gen Matanga warned the graduates to avoid these substances as much as possible.
ZPCS is gradually taking up the role of Judicial VIP protection from the police.
“Your day-to-day duties will be equally demanding as the responsibility of providing security to VIPs requires a high level of diligence and integrity.
“You are expected to exhibit a very high standard of vigilance and knowledge of duty which should inspire confidence and comfort in your principals.
“I am confident that the array of the cited courses has empowered you with the requisite expertise to execute VIP protection duties with excellence.
“The reality of providing security services is that, threats will present themselves in various forms, but your duty is to rise above the challenge and ensure the safety of our VIPs,” said Comm Gen Matanga.