BCC U-turns on disbanding municipal police unit

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has backtracked on its plans to disband the municipal police and replacing it with a private security company, following a backlash by the public.

According to a Confidential Council Report last month, the cash-strapped BCC was planning to disband its municipal police and engage a private security company on a 12-month rolling contract, as part of a raft of measures to cut its wage bill and improve security.

BCC is also considering reporting bad debtors to the Credit Bureau, reintroducing the Revenue Hall flea market popularly known as Khothama with traders interested in occupying the vending stalls required to pay strictly in foreign currency.

Last week, Bulawayo residents reacted with anger following the proposal by the local authority to disband municipal police and engage a private security company, saying the move is not only unprecedented, but an abuse of office and a fertile ground for corruption.

However, in a U-turn, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube yesterday issued a statement saying council had no plans to replace the municipal police with a private company.

“Council has no plans to disband any of its sections or convert permanent employees’ contracts of employment to fixed terms contracts,” he said.

“The City of Bulawayo does not also carry out such actions without consulting the relevant stakeholders, that is, workers’ union and affected employees. Stakeholders are requested to take note of the official council position as stated above,” said Mr Dube.

According to the confidential report, the local authority had said the objective of the proposed action plan of replacing its security unit with a private security company was to ensure accountability and improve security measures.

“The objective of this action plan is to improve security measures within the city council by replacing the current security personnel with a private security company.

“This will ensure accountability, reduce the risk of collusion with corrupt staff members, and increase overall safety within the council premises,” reads part of the report.

The report stated that there will be improved safety of staff and visitors and improved performance as a result of the competition among private security companies.

“There will be a more cost-effective solution compared to the current arrangement. Council will undertake research and identify suitable private security companies,” reads the report.