Chronicle Editor
Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
POLICE have arrested 3 236 more violators of Covid-19 national lockdown regulations countrywide bringing to 389 944 the total number of people nabbed since the beginning of the lockdown on March 30 last year.
Out of those, 1 756 people were arrested for unnecessary movements while 997 were nabbed for failure to wear face masks. The arrests were made on Wednesday.
President Mnangagwa last week extended the level 4 National Lockdown by another two weeks following a spike in Covid-19 infections and deaths.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga announced the review of the lockdown in a briefing in Harare.
He said the extension has been necessitated by the need to save lives, adding that the President fully appreciates the difficulties which come with the lockdown extension.
In a statement released today, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation was ongoing and urged people to comply with lockdown regulations.
He said they have noted that the generality of citizens was complacent and violating lockdown regulations.
“We have arrested 3 326 people on Wednesday for contravening Covid-19 regulations throughout the country. A total of 997 were arrested for not wearing face masks while 1 756 were nabbed for unnecessary movement and the total number of people arrest since March 30, 2020 is now 389 944,” he said.
The ZRP has noted that some members of the public have now become complacent and are violating lockdown measures in various suburbs in the country. They are committing various offences, which include unnecessary movements, liquor offences are others.”
He said in cities such as Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo, motorists are defying lockdown regulations by transporting commuters and working in cahoots with corrupt law enforcement agents.
“Motorists are warned against conniving with unruly security services members to gain passage at checkpoints as they will be dealt with in terms of the law,” said the police spokesperson.
“Members of the public should take note that the lockdown and curfew order are still in force and police will arrest those found violating these regulations and ensure only essential service providers access the city centres.”
Ass Comm Nyathi urged the citizenry to comply with health regulations by masking up, maintaining social distancing and regular washing of hands as well as staying at home to curb the spread of Covid-19.
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