Police ban loitering in city

Angeline Mpofu Chronicle Reporter
POLICE in Bulawayo have banned loitering around the Registrar General’s Office and other buildings that provide public services as the force moves to stamp out criminal activities during the festive season.Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the development saying the move was meant to weed out criminals during the holiday period.

“We have intensified our operations because during the festive season crime is high. We will arrest anyone found loitering near buildings which offer services,” Insp Moyo said.

“Such people disturb people who have genuine business. Where there are crowds people are always mugged and they lose their possessions to thieves.”

Insp Moyo warned that people who would be seen loitering at service buildings would be arrested.
“If residents are seen loitering in front of buildings which provide services without any business we will not hesitate to arrest them for criminal nuisance,” he said.

Insp Moyo said repeat offenders will be taken to court. On Wednesday scores of people were reportedly arrested when police pounced on them while loitering along a pavement near the Registrar-General’s Office which has since become a restricted area.

It is believed that about 100 people were arrested yesterday at about 6am along the pavement and taken to Drill Hall Police Station where they paid fines.

One of the witnesses, Sipho Moyo, a vendor said:
“A group of policemen stormed the area and told everyone at the site that they were under arrest for loitering. It was surprising that most of the people arrested were in the queue for national identification cards and passports.”

When Chronicle visited the registry offices yesterday, the pavement, which is usually a hive of activity, was deserted while vendors were dotted between cars parked along a parking zone facing the fences.

“We are no longer allowed to sit close to the fence and sell our goods. We are trying to raise money to take care of our families.
“We are not employed and this is our only source of income,” said a vendor.

Officials at the provincial registry declined to comment saying the arrests were happening outside their offices.