#PEOPLESPEAK
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and #PEOPLESPEAK out on key human rights issues in Zimbabwe
What really
happened?
On 26 November, police officers
pursuing a commuter omnibus
that was illegally picking up
passengers
along
Simon
Mazorodze Road, a busy dual
way about three kilometres from
the Harare city centre were
accused of causing an accident
that resulted in the death of a
woman.
Police
officers,
who
use
unconventional
ways
like
smashing windows of moving
vehicles, were in pursuit of a
commuter omnibus – one of the
many operating illegally as
government has not opened up
to private public transporters –
and the bus ran over a woman.
She died on the spot.
Angry crowds unfortunately
instituted mob justice and beat
up and tore apart the uniforms
of one of the police officers
behind the chase.
Very unfortunate was the entire
incident as it ended up in a
death that could have been
avoided.
This incident proves the urgent
need for security sector reform.
The police need to understand
how to enforce the law without
causing deaths or more harm to
the very societies they are
supposed to protect.
The Police’s response
The Zimbabwe Republic Police regrets the loss of life in a road traffic accident
which occurred along Simon Mazorodze Road near Total Service Station on
26th November 2020. The incident is unfortunate.
The Police implore kombi operators and drivers to comply with the country’s
laws in order to safeguard lives.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is equally concerned about the rowdy commuter
omnibus drivers’ conduct who have become militant and dangerous to other
road users and police officers enforcing laws of the land. Some of them have
even removed number plates to avoid detection.
Upon seeing police officers coming to arrest them they speed off and in the
process endanger the lives of pedestrians and other motorists.
The public is implored not to board kombis or other vehicles not displaying
number plates as they risk being killed or injured as the unruly drivers will be
running away or speeding off to evade arrest.
On the other hand, police officers enforcing traffic laws and COVID -19
regulations are urged to conduct themselves according to the laws of the land
and avoid acting in a manner which endangers lives.
Members of the public are urged to report any acts by police officers which are
contrary to their constitutional obligations.
The following numbers are operational 24 hours; Harare Operations 0242
748836, National Complaints Desk 0242 703631 or Bulawayo Operations 029
885479. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting investigations into this
sad incident.
17
[NYATHI P] Assistant Commissioner