adminTUESDAY’s ugly broad day light skirmishes in which gangs of touts attacked each other with dangerous weapons in the full glare of vulnerable peace loving citizens must not be allowed to resurface.
Literally, Sakubva was turned into a war zone as the warring touts attacked each with much aggression. Several people were injured while property was destroyed at some houses in Mutare’s oldest location.
We are not concerned about who started the fracas. What we want is a guarantee to the safety of citizens, some of whom were unfortunately caught up in the cross fire.
Although the police reacted swiftly to arrest the situation, damage had already been done.
At this juncture, the best thing to do is to ensure that such things are not left to happen in future.
The lives of people must not be threatened by rogue elements who are eking out a living through touting, which is illegal.
We urge the police to stand the ground and enforce the laws of the country as enshrined in our Constitution.
Those who fanned this new wave of violence must be apprehended and brought before the courts.
We hear that these are organised syndicates with leaders who give the orders.
It is the duty of the police to round up all the alleged ring leaders and charge them with public violence since they gave their followers orders to attack rival camps.
They must be charged with the same crimes with those who perpetrated the ills on the ground.
For the record, touting is illegal and anyone doing it is a criminal who must only be given the chance to tell his side of the story in a court room.
The police must not handle these people with soft gloves because their actions will go out of hand and harm innocent people.
We take sides with Officer-in-Charge Chisamba Police Station, Chief Inspector Noah Nyamuzinga, when he said the police will impound all vehicles that were used to transport the touts to unleash the violence.
He said the police had the Constitutional right and power to protect the laws of the land from people who act otherwise.
“Let me remind you that the groups that you have formed for the purposes of fanning violence are not allowed at law. We are going to arrest all those involved in these skirmishes. Touting is not allowed and we are going to descend on all those who defy the law and think that they can do whatever they want and disturb peace in this suburb. The police have the arsenal to deal with you if you continue to behave unlawfully,” he said.
Tuesday’s violence was terrifying as residents ran in all directions for safety from the marauding touts who were attacking anyone they believed to be against them.
It is our considered view that the best way to deal with this situation is for the police to remove all the touts from bus termini in the city.
Such operations were done in the past and they proved successful. The courts will also intervene and ensure prohibitive sentences are handed down to dissuade would-be offenders from join the bandwagon.
This city is bigger than a few groups of people who are hell bend on causing confusion and chaos. The law must protect people.
Online Reporter