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POLICE in Gweru has issued a prohibition order banning the carrying of dangerous weapons in public as cases involving the use of such weapons are now rampant and threatening public safety.
This is due to the increase in cases of violence involving machetes, knobkerries, swords, knives, spears or daggers, catapults, and other offensives weapons or other traditional weapons.
The officer commanding Gweru Urban Chief Superintendent Tambudzai Bibian Gumpo signed the prohibition order which will run for three months from June 1 to October 1.
“The reason of these Prohibition Orders is to curb crimes of assaults, robbery, murder, rape and where carrying of weapons may be used in the commission of crime,” she noted.
Chief Supt Gumpo highlighted that Gweru Urban Police District covers area from the Midlands State University (MSU) extending to Fletcher High School, Daylesford, Coolmoreen Plots, Greenvale, Ridgemont, Hertfordshire, Montrose Plots, Woodlands, Mkoba 20, Mkoba 19, Mkoba 14, Mkoba 5, CSC, Heavy Industry, Dabuka, and Southview extension.
“Acting in terms of section 4 of Maintenance Of Peace And Order Act [Chapter 11:23] [Hereinafter referred to as MOPA], Chief Superintendent Gumpo do hereby temporarily prohibit the carrying in public (whether openly or by concealment in a public place or public thoroughfare) or public display of any of the following weapons or items capable of use as weapons namely, catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggers for a period of 3 months that is from 01 June 2023 to 31 August 2023 because cases involving the use of these weapons are now rampant and threatening the very existence of public safety,” she said.
Chief Supt Gumpo said any police officer will be authorised to seize without warrant, any weapon or item capable of use as a weapon, found in the possession of any person in contravention of this prohibition notice, and shall place in safe custody every weapon or item so seized so that it may be submitted to the jurisdiction of the court to be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“Any person who fails to comply with this prohibition notice shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment,” she said.
“We are appealing to members of the community to comply with the order and to report all those they see in possession of any weapons at their nearest police station.”
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