Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Zimpapers Writer
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has begun procuring helmets for its municipal police officers to protect them from occupational hazards, amid growing concerns over violent attacks by members of the public during law enforcement operations.
According to the local authority’s weekly newsletter, Masiyephambili, municipal police officers have increasingly faced assaults while enforcing the city’s by-laws.
BCC Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, said most workplace injuries within the council’s security section were the result of attacks by unruly individuals resisting law enforcement.
She was speaking during the belated World Day for Safety and Health at Work commemorations, where it was revealed that more than 50 council employees were injured in 2024.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, commemorated annually on April 28, raises global awareness of work-related accidents and illnesses while promoting stronger occupational safety and health (OSH) systems in line with international labour standards.
“We have been forced to revise our safety provisions to include helmets for municipal police assigned to vending areas, which have become hard-hat zones due to the unruliness of some individuals resisting enforcement,” said Mrs Zhou.
She noted that security officers top the list of workplace injuries in the city, with some municipal police officers coming under attack from stones, machetes and even firearms, among other deadly weapons.
“When our officers try to enforce the law, they are attacked with all sorts of weapons — from stones to firearms and machetes — putting their lives in danger. We now urgently need protective gear such as hard helmets for our personnel,” she said.
Mrs Zhou also highlighted pushcart operators as a particular menace, not only to municipal staff but also to motorists navigating the city centre.
“Pushcart users shove our officers while resisting enforcement and have injured staff members. Motorists also struggle to manoeuvre around them.
We urge the public to respect the law and those enforcing it, as they are simply doing their job,” she said.
Mrs Zhou further called for urgency in disposing of impounded vehicles left neglected at BCC’s central stores, saying they have become an eyesore.
“We call upon the BCC disposal committee to expedite the process so that we do not keep such items in perpetuity,” said Mrs Zhou.
