MWANZA: MWANZA Regional Commissioner, Commissioner of Police (CP) Salum Hamduni has urged community vigilante groups in Kwimba District to strengthen cooperation with other security agencies in combating crime, raising awareness about El Niño precautions and ensuring that children attend school.
CP Hamduni made the call yesterday while addressing Sanjo forum in Kwimba District, Mwanza Region. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and security to enable residents to participate fully in development activities.
He called on the groups to work closely with the Police Force to address security concerns and urged residents to provide accurate information about criminal activities to facilitate appropriate action.
“The community vigilante groups are required to cooperate with the Police Force in resolving security issues, and citizens should support them by providing accurate information about crime,” CP Hamduni said.
He further urged the group to play a constructive role in resolving community safety and security challenges, warning members against taking the law into their own hands, acting as judges or imposing unlawful fines on residents.
Mr Hamduni emphasised that the group should work with the police to understand and comply with the laws and procedures governing their operations and community policing.
Kwimba District community vigilante group secretary, Mr Paul Kahema, said the group had been involved in various community activities, including raising awareness about El Niño and working with residents to reduce crime.
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“We need support from the Mwanza Regional leadership, particularly in securing land and constructing offices to improve its operational efficiency,” Mr Kahema said.
He identified a lack of training in legal matters and security techniques as another major challenge, saying such training was essential to enable members to perform their duties effectively and within the law.
Kwimba District Commissioner, Mr Ngwi’labuzu Ludigija, said the vigilantes had contributed to improving public safety and working with communities to address various challenges.
He added that the group’s responsibilities included helping ensure that school-age children attended classes, an effort aimed at improving school attendance and strengthening parental and community accountability for children’s education.