393 504 Arrested For Covid-related Contraventions
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said over 3 500 people were arrested yesterday for various offences related to the violation of COVID-19 control measures.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 894 people were arrested for failing to wear masks while 2 095 were nabbed for unnecessary movement.
This brings to 393 504 the cumulative total number of people who have been arrested for violating national lockdown measures since the onset of the national lockdown on 30 March 2020. Police said in the statement:
The ZRP confirms that on 04/02/21, 3 560 people were arrested for COVID-19 related contraventions, 894 were arrested for ‘failure to wear masks’ and 2 095 were arrested for ‘unnecessary movements’.
Since the onset of the national lockdown on 30/03/2020, a cumulative total of 393 504 people have been arrested for violating national lockdown measures. Most of those arrested were in violation of movement restrictions.
Members of the public are urged to comply with the measures put in place by Government to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
By October last year, the government had reopened most sectors of the economy as coronavirus infection rates had fallen to manageable levels.
However, on 5 January 2021, the government reimposed strict lockdown measures for a month in a bid to contain unprecedented COVID-19 infections which were threatening to spiral out of control.
The 30-day national lockdown was subsequently extended by another 10 days to 15 February 2021.
