The Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Godwin Matanga, has warned motorists against speeding to avoid loss of life during the festive season. In a statement seen by Pindula News, Matanga police officers will be on the roads enforcing the law. Reads the statement:
ZRP PRESS STATEMENT 16th DECEMBER 2022 COMMISSIONER GENERAL OF POLICE’S 2022 FESTIVE SEASON STATEMENT ON ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE STATE OF PREPAREDNESS FOR THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF ZIMBABWEANS
The Zimbabwe Republic Police takes note that the forthcoming Unity Day, Christmas and New Year holidays are characterized by an increase in human and vehicular traffic movements as the public undertake various social and economic activities in a festive mood.
My office has observed that this period attracts a lot of attention as fatal and serious road traffic accidents are recorded on the country’s roads. Criminal acts are likely to increase as evidenced by recorded cases of armed robbery, murder, rape, drug abuse, stocktheft and unlawful entry and theft.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will therefore deploy adequately to ensure police officers are visible so that peace prevails in communities, on the roads, public gatherings and any other place where the public has access. Stern action will be taken against pirate taxis (mushikashika operators) and motorists who drive recklessly with no regards for the rights of other road users.
I have directed Officers Commanding Police Provinces to ensure that sufficient visibility is maintained in communities and on the country’s major roads.
Police officers will also account for criminal elements who commit armed robberies, murder, rape, stocktheft and those who engage in illicit drug activities which are affecting the youths and elderly.
May I implore the public not to keep large sums of money at home or business premises as this attracts criminals.
Above all, the public should not relax during the festive period but remain alert in terms of family security and their property. Suspicious criminal movements should be quickly reported to the police for swift action to be taken.
Companies should ensure that their security is beefed up with those entities conducting cash-in-transit activities urged to work closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to curb armed robbery cases.
Parents and guardians should monitor the activities undertaken by children this holiday to curb cases of child sexual abuse, drowning and drug abuse.
Police officers will conduct crime and road safety campaigns in partnership with other stakeholders who include Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), Vehicle Examination Department (VED) and Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA).
The public is also urged to shun and report corrupt activities to any nearest Police station. Above all, they should cooperate with police officers deployed on patrols, road blocks and other duties to ensure that law and order is maintained during the holidays.
May I urge all drivers to be exemplary on the roads and promote road safety at all times. All unroadworth and plateless vehicles will be impounded by the police.
Drivers should not speed or overload vehicles with passengers or goods. The mixing of goods and passengers will not be tolerated by the Police during this holiday as this contributes to road traffic accidents.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will arrest all touts and unruly elements causing chaos at bus termini and ranks. No one should be forced to board a public service vehicle by anyone through force or threats. May I implore the travelling public to report any one who harasses them while trying to board public service vehicles en-route to various destinations.
At Beitbridge Border Post, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested 863 touts popularly known as “cobras,” from Or October 2022 to date. They have since appeared in court.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police takes this opportunity to urge the various commuter omnibus operator associations to lead by example and promote road safety during this festive season. The operators must employ drivers who are above the age of 25 years as stipulated by the law and observe speed limits at all times.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will be conducting an operation dubbed, “Lets Join Hands in Preventing Crime and Road Carnage,” which runs from 15th December 2022 to 15th January 2023 to ensure that all criminal activities in communities and reckless driving conduct on the roads are decisively dealt with.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to express gratitude to the generality of Zimbabweans who are law abiding and urge them to continue observing the law and working with the Police to fight crime.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish all Zimbabweans and visitors a merry, accident and crime free Christmas and prosperous New Year (2023)
T.G. MATANGA Commissioner General of Police Police General Headquarters Harare