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Blessings Chidakwa-Municipal Reporter
Harare Municipal Police is adding 870 more personnel, with Government having availed $55 million for resource mobilisation towards the council, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said yesterday.
Launching the Harare Municipal Training programme at the City Sports Centre, Minister Moyo, flanked by Home Affairs Deputy Minister Ruth Mavhunga-Maboyi, said this was meant to empower traffic enforcement officers with the necessary skills to deal with various aspects such as traffic congestion, enforcing traffic regulations and by-laws.
Minister Moyo said so far, the joint operation between the police and the council has resulted in the impounding of 3 209 vehicles and 1 001 being towed away to a secure compound, while 4 572 vendors and 557 touts were arrested.
“The essence of this launch is to show emphasis on the need to empower traffic enforcement officers with the necessary skills to deal with traffic congestion and enforce traffic regulations and by-laws,” he said.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need to increase your manpower levels in the traffic department.
We have approved the increase of establishment for traffic enforcement from the current 271 to 1 139 positions.”
Minister Moyo said the traffic enforcement needed to be resourced in terms of tow vehicles, motor cycles and heavy duty tow vehicles.
“The Traffic Enforcement needs to be capacitated further in the form of training,” he said.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has seen it fit to disburse $55 million towards resource mobilisation.
“It is key that you master the discipline involved to carry out your duties, as well as shunning corruption.
“Corruption is a cancer that has crippled many economies and as such it must be condemned and discouraged at all times and places.”
Minister Moyo said he was reliably informed that the Human Resources and General Purposes committee had already considered increasing the traffic establishment from 271 to 561 positions and the proposed changes to the overall establishment of council as new posts will be set off against non-critical vacant positions as part of the rationalisation of the establishment and ensuring that the overall cost is within budget.
Acting town clerk, Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, expressed gratitude to the Government for assisting the city.
“Government has been playing a key role in ensuring that our force is equipped,” he said.
“We are also grateful that your ministry agreed to increase the establishment of traffic enforcers from 271 to 1 139 given our added responsibilities.
“We are further grateful for the approval of training of 200 traffic enforcement officers by the ZRP. We thank the ZRP and Ministry of Home Affairs for their readiness to embark on joint operations and preparedness to facilitate this training programme.”
Online Reporter