ZIMBABWE POLICE ACCUSED OF SHOOT-TO-KILL POLICY IN ARMED ROBBERY CASES

A very serious problem is worrying people in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has warned that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) might be using a “shoot-to-kill” method when dealing with people accused of armed robbery. This has shocked many people in the country and around the world. If true, it means that the police are killing people before they have gone to court or been found guilty.

Stopping armed robbery is important, but the way the police are doing it is now causing fear and anger. It is dangerous when police officers act like judges, deciding who lives or dies without a trial. This goes against the law, which says that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. People should get a fair trial before any punishment is given. If the police ignore this, then the whole idea of justice is lost.

Reports say several people suspected of armed robbery have been shot and killed by police. The police say they are doing this to stop violent crime, but many believe it is more than that. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum says these killings might be unlawful. They believe the police could be going outside the law and killing people without reason. If that is true, it would be a very serious violation of human rights.

When police shoot people without a trial, it shows a lack of respect for the law. It makes people afraid of the police instead of trusting them. This creates a dangerous situation. If people are scared of the police, they will not work with them to fight crime. And if the police feel free to kill, there is a chance they will target innocent people too. This means that some people could die even when they did nothing wrong.

Human rights groups, lawyers, and ordinary citizens are all raising their voices. They are demanding answers. They want to know why the police are using such deadly force. They want to know who is giving the orders. Most of all, they want to know if this is now official government policy.

Many are asking: has Zimbabwe become a country where the police kill first and ask questions later?

There is also a fear that this approach will not stop crime but will make it worse. If people feel the police are unfair or dangerous, they might turn to violence themselves. Crime is caused by many things—poverty, unemployment, and injustice. Killing people does not fix those problems. It only hides them.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum is calling for full investigations. They want all the people involved in these killings—both those who pulled the trigger and those who approved it—to be held accountable. This includes senior police officers and even top government officials.

The police must follow the law, not break it. They must be trained to handle suspects in a legal and safe way. They must use force only when it is absolutely needed—and even then, only in a way that respects human rights. International rules say police can only use deadly force when they are protecting lives, not just to catch someone or punish them.

The government now has a choice. It can defend the police and stay silent—or it can speak up for justice, demand investigations, and change how the police operate. The world is watching closely. Zimbabwe’s future depends on how this issue is handled. Justice must be done not just for those killed, but for all Zimbabweans who want a country that respects life, law, and human rights.

No one should be killed without a trial. No one is above the law—not even the police.