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Herald Reporters
POLICE have to date arrested 7 385 people across the country for breaching various lockdown directives announced by Government to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
They were arrested for various offences, which included operating shebeens, businesses without exemptions, unnecessary movements and unsanctioned gatherings. Government announced a 21-day lockdown to prevent and contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police is concerned with the increase of people who are defying lockdown measures.
He said police would continue to arrest those defying the orders until there was total compliance.
Manicaland Province tops on the number of arrests particularly those picked up for unnecessary movements.
“The number of arrests has increased from 6 547 to 7 385. We are concerned by this increase and we are urging the public to be compliant.
“The virus is deadly and we need to prevent its spread by staying at home and also practicing all the health measures recommended,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the highest number of arrests had been recorded in Manicaland Province where yesterday alone, out of the 1 462 people arrested countrywide, 838 were in Manicaland.
Additionally, Asst Comm Nyathi said police had received numerous unconfirmed reports of people assaulting a security officer in Bulawayo.
He appealed to aggrieved people to approach any police station and make formal reports.
“We gathered that there is a lot of traffic in Bulawayo’s Central Business District and we want to urge the public there, especially motorists, who are not exempted to be in the city centre to comply and stay at home.
“There are several claims that some officers are assaulting people in Bulawayo. We urge anyone who was assaulted to make a report at any police station for investigations to be done,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Masvingo the fight against Covid-19 received a major boost with the delivery of rapid results test kits that will also be distributed across the province.
Residents were social distancing at Rujeko Primary School where they were buying maize meal.
The provincial taskforce has also ordered the closure of the main open fresh produce market, Chitima to decongest the town.
Taskforce chair and Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira said the move was taken because people were failing to observe social distancing.
In Kariba, people continued with their business amid indications that the police were overstretched. The Nyamhunga market was bustling with people including farmers from nearby areas such as Nyamakate.
Farmers are bringing in their produce, while residents are paying little regard to preventive measures such as social distancing and washing of hands.
The Kariba District civil protection unit met yesterday to review the situation.
In the Midlands, security officers have intensified operations to clear people and vehicles in Kwekwe and Gweru.
The Midlands provincial taskforce on Covid-19 has also resolved that essential services workers should use Public Service Commission and Zupco buses when getting into town and avoid using private vehicles.
Police in Beitbridge have come up with intensive screening mechanisms to decongest major business centres of human and vehicular traffic.
Vehicles in and out of the main shopping Zesa complex are being controlled by traffic police.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter