ZRP Launches Special Tactics Troop to Confront Violent Crime

ZRP has launched a Special Tactics Troop to tackle armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes, strengthening rapid-response policing amid rising security concerns (image source)

HARARE — In a high-profile response to rising violent crime, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a dedicated Special Tactics Troop, a rapid-response unit modelled on elite international forces. The troop’s pass-out parade was officiated by Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba on December 18, 2025, marking a significant escalation in policing capacity against high-risk offences.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the unit completed intensive specialised training and will be deployed to handle complex and dangerous incidents, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder and smuggling. “The team will assist in responding to scenes of serious crime such as armed robbery, murder, smuggling and kidnapping,” Comm Nyathi said. He added that the troop’s structure and operational doctrine draw inspiration from elite units such as South Africa’s Special Task Force, Kenya’s Recce Company and the United Kingdom’s Specialist Firearms Command.

The formation of the Special Tactics Troop follows a year punctuated by violent crimes that heightened public concern, including the fatal shooting of businessman Joseph Mutangadura, deadly shootouts involving police officers, and the mass killing of a family in Guruve. Police statistics indicate that between January and August 2025, authorities recorded 531 arrests linked to armed robbery, resulting in 206 convictions. Some investigations, officials said, extended beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, underscoring the growing threat of organised and cross-border criminal syndicates.

Operational enhancements announced alongside the troop include the deployment of three additional Ford Everest vehicles to the National Highway Patrol Unit, expanding the fleet to nine. The reinforcement is aimed at strengthening highway security during the festive season, a period typically associated with increased travel and opportunistic crime. The ZRP has also introduced Quick Response (QR) codes on patrol vehicles, allowing motorists to scan and connect instantly with the police hotline to report emergencies, reckless driving or suspicious activity.

Security analysts welcomed the introduction of a specialised rapid-response capability but cautioned that elite units must be integrated into a broader, intelligence-led policing framework. They stressed the importance of coordination with investigative units, prosecutors and community policing structures to achieve lasting reductions in violent crime. Civil-liberties groups have also called for transparency and oversight to ensure operations adhere to human-rights standards and due process. The ZRP has said the troop will operate under strict rules of engagement and accountability mechanisms.

As Zimbabwe enters a period of heightened movement and public gatherings, authorities say the Special Tactics Troop represents a decisive step to restore public confidence and improve response times to serious crime. The longer-term impact, analysts note, will depend on sustained intelligence sharing, judicial follow-through and community trust.