Cops heavily deployed for festive season

Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
THERE will be heavy police presence countrywide to ensure an accident and crime free festive season. Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity, in a statement, said police would intensify patrols and carry out stop and searches. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to assure the nation that adequate manpower has been deployed to ensure there is peace and security during the forthcoming festive season period.

“Police will intensify patrols, stop and searches and blitz on all residential, industrial, farming and other areas where the public will be undertaking various activities,” she said.

She said police visibility would also be maintained on the country’s major roads to ensure that travellers were free to move to and from their destinations.

She urged drivers to be responsible and adhere to all road rules and regulations.

“Above all, we are urging drivers to co-operate with the police. Drivers are warned against speeding, overtaking where the situation does not permit them to do so or driving through red traffic lights.

All defective vehicles will be impounded and taken to VID for inspection,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

She said police officers had been directed to talk to drivers while they were in their vehicles, in the full glare of the public.

“All passengers are expected to see clearly what will be going on and if an offence has been committed, action should be taken in the open. No police officer should talk to motorists privately or ask them to disembark and move to a separate point where one would be standing or seated alone,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba warned people to be wary of con artists who were masquerading as holiday booking agents while using women and young girls.

She identified one of the swindlers as Rossie Mushonga, who operates in Kariba.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba urged property owners to ensure that their houses were secure if they intend to travel and should not leave them unattended.

“Police will ensure that the law takes its course on fraudsters and those bent on breaking into other people’s premises. Let’s drive to arrive alive and safeguard lives,” she said.

Between December 15 and 28 last year, 86 people were killed while 600 people were injured in 1 054 road accidents recorded during the festive season.

In 2013, 81 people died while 461 others were injured in 880 accidents recorded during the same period.

Last year police impounded 2 375 unroadworthy vehicles and issued 99 571 tickets to motorists for various traffic offences.

Most accidents were attributed to speeding, overtaking errors, lack of judgement by drivers and failure to give way.

There was also an increase in young, unlicensed and reckless drivers on the roads.