Online Reporter
The Herald, 22 May 1980
ANYONE taking the law into his own hands would be met with the fall rigour of the law and without sympathy, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Tarisai Ziyambi, said yesterday.
Reviewing the first passing-out parade of police recruits since the formation of the new Government, Mr Ziyambi told the 154 patrol officers and constables and a crowd of about 400 that the function of policing Zimbabwe must remain exclusively in the hands of the force.
“The police force is the only organisation in this country which has lawful authority and the responsibility for preserving law and order,” he said. Mr Ziyambi said anyone usurping that authority was not only acting contrary to the Constitution but also against Government policy.
“If anyone does so act by taking the law into his own hands he can expect no sympathy, and such conduct on his part will be met by the full rigour of the law,” he said.
The police were in the “unenviable position” of possibly being seen in an unpopular light by enforcing the law while having to seek the support and the assistance of the public.
However, “if the police are held in high regard, then law and order will follow as a natural consequence”, he said, urging all members of the force to deal “firmly but kindly” with the public.
On the question of advancement of blacks to senior positions in the force, he said he felt that his remarks, reported on Saturday, had received too much emphasis in the Press.
While he was certain that “in a relatively short time” there would be a number of black assistant commissioners, higher positions would depend on factors such as the black officers’ ability assimilated into higher ranks, and “to perform the very responsible duties of these important posts in a manner which will earn the respect of all ranks of the police”.
Lessons for today
- The strong warning against taking the law into one’s own hands shows that laws exist to maintain order. Everyone must respect legal systems rather than acting on personal judgment or revenge. The police are identified as the only body responsible for maintaining law and order. This teaches that authority must be respected, and not everyone can act as an enforcer.
- The statement that offenders will face the “full rigour of the law” highlights that illegal actions lead to punishment. It serves as a deterrent against disorder and vigilantism.
- Police officers are encouraged to act “firmly but kindly.” This shows that authority should be exercised with fairness, discipline, and respect for the public. Maintaining law and order is a shared responsibility between citizens and law enforcement.
