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Crime Reporter
Police yesterday warned people against parading coffins in public places as this was tantamount to abusing the dead. The warning comes after touts and vendors paraded the body of Trymore Zuze in Chitungwiza recently.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said people should not abuse the dead.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to warn members of the public against the abuse of deceased persons, especially the parading of coffins in public places such as street corners, market places, commuter ranks and other places.
“One such case occurred on January 7, 2016 in which some residents from Unit D suburb in Chitungwiza moved around the area with a coffin that contained a dead body,” she said.
At about 1pm, about 80 vendors and touts marched from a house in Unit D towards Unit D Shopping Centre carrying Zuze’s body.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said it was illegal to move around with a dead body.
“This type of behaviour should stop forthwith. It is uncultural and lawless to move around with coffins while blocking traffic and shouting all sorts of obscenities. This conduct goes against the society’s cultural norms and values,” she said.
“Police would like to strongly warn members of the public that they must abide by the country’s laws and respect orders from the police.
“Deceased persons deserve respect and movement of coffins should only be for burial purposes as indicated on burial orders. Anyone caught while abusing a dead body will be dealt with in terms of the country’s laws.”
Online Reporter