Parliament urged to fund CID gear and compensation after Pumula detective’s death

Parliamentary Watch

BULAWAYO — Parliament has been urged to press Treasury to provide more funding for Criminal Investigation Department officers’ protective equipment and to establish compensation measures for families of officers killed while on duty, following renewed attention to the death of Bulawayo detective Cassandra Hove.

Hon. Maoneke moved a motion in the National Assembly last week Tuesday calling for adequate resources for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to equip CID officers working in high-risk units.

The motion specifically seeks funding for protective clothing and gear for officers in the CID’s Homicide, Serious Crimes and Vehicle Theft Squad sections.

It also calls for stipulated compensation for relatives of officers who die while performing their duties.

“Every day CID detectives leave their homes uncertain whether they will safely return to their families,” Maoneke told the House.“They investigate violent murders, pursue armed robbers, dismantle organised criminal syndicates and recover stolen property under circumstances that place them in constant danger.”

Maoneke said protective resources needed to match the risks detectives face.“Bravery alone cannot substitute for adequate protection; courage must be equally matched by appropriate investment,” he said.

“No officer should be expected to confront heavily armed criminals without modern ballistic protection, suitable operational clothing, secure communication equipment, reliable transport and the technological resources needed to reduce operational risks.”

In motivating the motion, Maoneke referred to Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, a member of Bulawayo’s all-female CID Homicide Team, Lozikeyi, who died during an operation in Pumula on March 6, 2025.

According to the account presented in Parliament, Hove was fatally shot during an operation to apprehend armed robbery suspects. The debate noted that court proceedings later established that the fatal shot came from a fellow officer’s firearm during the high-risk operation.

The motion proposes that Treasury allocate sufficient resources to Home Affairs for appropriate protective gear, while government establishes compensation and welfare measures for bereaved families.

It further raises the need for resources including ballistic protection, communication equipment, transport, forensic tools, surveillance technology and other investigative equipment.

Hon. Chiduwa seconded the motion.

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