adminThe students were picked up at Centenary Park on their way home from lessons around 3pm by two policemen.
In an interview, one of the students, who declined to be named, said they were rounded up in the afternoon and released after 7pm.
“We met the two policemen around 3pm when we were on our way home and they asked us if we were carrying laptops in our bags.
“We were then asked to produce receipts and upon failure to produce the receipts, we were taken to Central Police Station for questioning and only released after 7pm,” said the student.
She said she had to call someone to bring her the receipt so as to prove that she was indeed the owner of the laptop.
“From the group, there were only two ladies, me and my friend and we were released last. I had to call my brother to bring me the receipt so that I could prove I was the legitimate owner of the laptop,” she said.
Another student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some had to call their parents who came and facilitated their release without producing receipts.
“Some of our friends were quick to call their parents who came and facilitated their release without even producing receipts,” said the student.
She said she had tried to tell the police that her laptop was bought more than three years ago and that she had probably misplaced the receipts but they kept on insisting that they wanted proof that it was hers.
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandle-nkosi Moyo said police were only doing their duties.
“The police were just doing their duties. We encourage people to keep receipts of their gadgets to avoid inconveniences,” said Insp Moyo.
Online Reporter