Harare — OPERATION Murambatsvina has successfully brought sanity in the city despite attempts by some sections of society to politicise it, the Resident Minister for Harare Metropolitan Province, Cde David Karimanzira, has said.

Cde Karimanzira said the operation had managed to get rid of economic saboteurs like illegal foreign currency dealers, unscrupulous business people, hoarding of basic commodities, overpricing and dealers selling stolen property.

"The clean-up exercise currently underway throughout the country has successfully brought sanity to the city despite attempts by some sections of society to politicise it. The operation, which is targeting all forms of illegalities in the country, had its effects felt far and wide," he said.

He was speaking at a ceremony to confer 67 outstanding policemen with awards sponsored by the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe.

"It is crucial to note that this ceremony comes at a time when the police are fully engaged in the ongoing operation code-named 'Operation Restore Order'.

"I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Harare community for their assistance and co-operation during this clean-up exercise. As the adage goes, cleanliness is next to Godliness," said Cde Karimanzira.

He said an operation of such a magnitude was a clear testimony of the police's commitment to the country's economic turnaround programme.

"The arrests and recoveries made during the operation so far should be enough to convince critics that a lot of criminal activities had been condoned for long, and it was high time police took this decisive stance," he said.

The resident minister applauded the public and companies for the support they were giving to the police.