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Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) has welcomed the granting of arresting powers to the City of Harare’s Municipal Police, but warned that public fears of abuse and unprofessional conduct must be addressed first.
In a statement issued today, HRT said Cabinet’s decision last Tuesday to approve the Municipal Police Bill was “long overdue” after three decades of requests by local authorities. Government says the move will improve service delivery and bylaw enforcement.
“The HRT strongly believes that granting arresting powers to the Municipal Police will to a greater extent force compliance with council rules and regulations across the residential, industrial and the central business district,” the trust said.
However, HRT said the decision has been overshadowed by a “tainted image” of the Municipal Police, citing alleged persecution of vendors and informal traders, extortion of tuckshop operators, and failure to curb invasions of wetlands by land barons.
The trust referenced recent break-ins at council district offices where cash was stolen, saying the incidents create “the perception of a weak enforcement unit that has now been granted arresting powers.”
“Residents across the suburbs have said that the granting of arresting powers to the Municipal Police frightens them, given the history of the Municipal Police when it comes to handling the citizens,” the HRT said.
The organisation highlighted problem areas including Market Square, Charge Office, Copa Cabana and Fourth Street, where it said vendors and rank marshals were “causing chaos” and acting with impunity.
HRT also called for a clear delineation of roles between the Municipal Police and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to avoid “parallel law enforcement structures that may end up competing instead of complementing each other.”
To the City of Harare, HRT recommended setting performance benchmarks, revising entry requirements and retraining officers in public relations and community policing, and providing adequate vehicles, funds and equipment.
It further urged council leadership to allow the Municipal Police to investigate all corruption cases and to make reports public, citing fears the unit could be “used to settle internal leadership conflicts.”
To Parliament, HRT said the Municipal Police and Courts Bill must undergo “widespread and inclusive” public consultations, with guaranteed citizen participation.
“The perceived cruelty and irresponsible behaviour of Council officials across the board have evoked a strong reaction against the granting of the arresting powers to the Municipal Police,” the statement read.
