Police in Victoria Falls ban carrying of dangerous weapons

POLICE in Victoria Falls have banned the carrying of dangerous weapons in an effort to curb prevalence of violent crimes such as murder, assault and robberies.

In a statement, Officer Commanding Victoria Falls District which covers Victoria Falls urban and its environs, Jambezi and Kazungula areas, Chief Superintendent Sibulisiwe Sithole said the ban was with effect from Wednesday 17 July to 17 October 2024.

“Police in Victoria Falls District is banning the carying of dangerous weapons due to increased cases of violence, armed robbery and rape where dangerous weapsons are being used to inflict injuries on other persons. These assualts have ultimately led to an increase in murder cases.

“The unanticipated cases of violence forced this office to invoke the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act which allows us to prohibit the carying of dangerous weapons causing such acts incolving the element of violence such as murder, assaults and malicious damage to property,” said Chief Supt Sithole.

She said the order was in terms of Section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Chapter 11:23 and any person failing to comply with such a prohibition order made under subsection 1 shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or improsonment for six months or both.

Chief Supt Sithole said police believe on reasonable grounds that the carying in public of weapons whether openly or by concealment in a public place might cause public disorder.

Some of the prohibited weapons are catupults, machetes. Axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggers or any other traditional weapons.

Some of these have been used in crime scenes and used to subdue or attack victims.

Victoria Falls District also polices wildlife protected areas where some of these weapons can also be used for illegal hunting.

“In terms of Section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order, hereby issue an order prohibiting the carrying of such weapons in the area or any part thereof for a period not exceeding three months, that is from 17 July 2024 to 17 October 2024. -@ncubeleon