HARARE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 police officers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are currently in Zimbabwe to participate into a peacekeeping course.

    According to Tuesday's The Herald, the course, being run by the Institute of Security Studies in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, runs until May 19. The officers are drawn from Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

    They will cover subjects such as charter and organization of the United Nations, African Union history, trends of peacekeeping and legal framework, human rights, health precautions in peacekeeping, negotiation and mediation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, gender and sexual exploitation issues, community policing, map reading and basic life support issues.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Zimbabwe Police Deputy Commissioner Barbra Mandizha said it was her conviction that the course curriculum would transform the officers into versatile and competent trainers knowledgeable in peacekeeping concepts, principles and techniques.

    "The regional grouping is desirous to promote, strengthen and perpetuate cooperation and cultivate and nurture joint strategies in our common fight against the rising tide of crimes that have transcended our national boundaries," she said.