The City of Harare has set up a new municipal police unit to crack down on illegal traders, people who litter, and those who roast green maize in the city centre.
Mayor Jacob Mafume said this during a meeting at Town House on Thursday. He said the council wants to restore order in the city. Said Mafume:
<blockquote>
We have created a special unit in our municipal police, that is going to be enforcing anti-litter by-laws.
Certainly, in other countries, you don’t roast maize in the middle of town and so forth.
These are the things that we are going to be planning back on with the special units of the police to make sure that the areas are clean.
</blockquote>
Mafume also said that the council is committed to providing informal traders with safe and proper vending spaces. He said:
<blockquote>
We need to have some streets where we do not permit anyone to sell anything in the market or anywhere and then other streets we can agree, after consultation with the informal sector and the residents, where we can allow them to be able to do the same implementation for designated areas, so that we can establish policies.
</blockquote>
However, in an interview with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200038881/harare-deploys-new-police-unit-against-vendors">NewsDay</a>, Combined Harare Residents Association director Ruben Akili said the council is responsible for the lawlessness in the city centre due to its failure to provide alternative vending spaces.
Akili added that the local authority likely spends more on enforcement than on building markets. He said:
<blockquote>
Resources must be channelled towards building markets in areas where these people can be allowed to do their work.
</blockquote>
While there are no official statistics on the number of informal traders in Harare, estimates suggest there are thousands, driven by the ongoing closure of companies and the shortage of formal employment opportunities.

Pindula News

The City of Harare has a new police unit to stop illegal traders, litterbugs, and people roasting maize in the city center. Mayor Jacob Mafume wants to clean up the city. The council will provide safe places for vendors to sell their goods. But some people think the council should focus on building markets instead of just enforcing the law. Many people sell things on the streets because there are not enough jobs in Harare.

New Harare Municipal Police Unit Targets Vendors And Litterbugs

A City of Harare municipal traffic police officer was reportedly kidnapped by a motorist attempting to evade arrest on New Year’s Eve.
The officer, 23-year-old Felistas Mutongweza, was abducted by an unidentified driver she had stopped for ferrying passengers using a private vehicle without a council license.
Mutongweza had arrested the motorist, who was driving a Toyota Sienta with registration number AGF 8309, at the corner of Rezende Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue around 10 AM.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Harare Province, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/council-traffic-cop-kidnapped/">H-Metro</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
Police are investigating a kidnapping case involving a Municipal Traffic Police Officer.
On December 31, 2024, the complainant was on duty with her workmates.
Before the complainant’s colleagues entered the car, the accused person drove away with the complainant and other passengers along Sam Nujoma Street towards Belgravia Shopping Centre.
Along the way, the accused person took the complainant’s cell phone so that she could not communicate with her colleagues.
The accused person stopped at Belgravia Shops, disembarked and pulled the complainant out of the motor vehicle.
Accused person gave the complainant her cell phone and drove off.
Complainant phoned her workmates and they picked her up with their motor vehicle.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A traffic officer in Harare named Felistas Mutongweza was taken by a driver on New Year's Eve. Mutongweza had stopped the driver for not having a proper license. The driver then drove off with her, taking her phone so she couldn't call for help. The driver later dropped her off and drove away. Mutongweza was eventually found by her colleagues. The police are now investigating the case.

Harare Traffic Officer Kidnapped By Motorist

A Ruwa Local Board Municipal Police Officer, Lucia Sithole (44), was arrested on Friday, September 27, by members of the Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a commuter omnibus driver.
According to a memo addressed to the SARACO Chief Corruption Prevention Intelligence Officer by an Assistant Deputy Director of Operations, Sithole now faces charges of criminal abuse of office as defined by Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The allegations are that on September 27, 2024, at approximately 8:20 AM, Sithole and two other municipal police officers were on duty conducting traffic enforcement along the Harare-Mutare highway near the George shopping Centre in Ruwa. Reads the memo:
<blockquote>
A Nissan Caravan commuter omnibus registration No AFE 7538 travelling from Harare to Goromonzi stopped at the market Bus stop along the highway and suddenly a municipal traffic officer emerged and placed a steel bar in the wheel of the commuter omnibus.
</blockquote>
All passengers were ordered to disembark and three municipal police officers jumped inside and ordered the driver to proceed to their council yard. As this was happening the other male officer was writing a fine ticket.
It is alleged that the driver of the kombi and the three municipal police officers left for the council yard, and along the way just near the shops, Sithole asked for twenty dollars from the driver.
The driver said that he had US$10 but she rejected it and insisted on $20.
After the driver gave her two US$10 notes, Sithole then instructed him to make a U-turn and drop them off immediately. Reads the memo:
<blockquote>
The driver drove back to where he had dropped his passengers and advised the three Southern Africa Regional Anti Corruption Organisation members who had earlier on introduced themselves to him before boarding the commuter omnibus at Fourth Street.
</blockquote>
The three members of SARACO contacted their female counterpart nearby and approached the municipal police officers.
They requested that the officers empty their pockets of all cash, but Sithole refused to comply.
Subsequently, the SARACO members searched her and discovered US$45 in her shirt pockets. Two of the US$10 bills matched the photographs taken by the kombi conductor before the money was handed over to the driver.
Sithole was then arrested and taken to Ruwa Police Station, where Chief Inspector Tinarwo was informed.
A docket was opened for violating Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, registered under ZRP Ruwa RRB number 6160549.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A police officer in Ruwa was caught taking a bribe from a driver by SARACO. The officer, Lucia Sithole, along with two others, stopped a commuter omnibus and demanded money. The driver gave them US$20, but they asked for more. SARACO members intervened and found the money on Sithole. She was arrested and charges were filed against her. The incident happened on the Harare-Mutare highway. Being caught taking bribes is against the law.

Ruwa Municipal Police Officer Caught In Bribery Sting By SARACO

A Harare municipal police officer was struck by a Honda CR-V on Tuesday morning in the central business district while attempting to stop the vehicle from evading arrest.
Reports indicate that the officer, who was part of a traffic enforcement team, jumped out to intercept the car, but the driver refused to comply, resulting in the tragic incident.
The City of Harare confirmed that the female officer was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment. The council said:
<blockquote>
One of our municipal police officers was hit by an errant motorist who was trying to evade arrest today. The officer P/S Rombayi sustained yet to be determined injuries.
She was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where she is admitted and receiving treatment. Motorists are urged to cooperate with municipal police in order to avoid such incidents.
</blockquote>
The council added that the motorist involved in the incident has been taken into custody by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A police officer in Harare was hit by a car while trying to stop it. The officer jumped in front of the car, but the driver didn't stop. Now, the officer is in the hospital getting treatment for her injuries. The city council said that drivers should listen to police and not try to run away. The driver who hit the officer has been arrested by the police. It's important to follow rules to not get hurt or hurt others on the road.

Harare Municipal Police Officer Injured After Jumping In Front Of Vehicle

Harare Mayor, His Worship, Cllr Jacob Mafume, has responded to allegations of police brutality involving municipal officers.
The incident, captured in a viral video, shows a group of men in civilian attire assaulting a vendor. Mayor Mafume has ordered an investigation into the matter.
In a press statement, Mayor Mafume emphasized the importance of upholding human rights in policing. He stated:
<blockquote>
We are the primary police force in our city, and we interact most closely with the public. Our methods must align with human rights principles.
</blockquote>
To address this, the mayor announced plans to introduce human rights courses for officers.
Furthermore, Mafume acknowledged the need for harmony between municipal officers and vendors.
He emphasized that the institution’s image must be protected, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken if the perpetrators are indeed city employees.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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