Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Members of the public have been urged to immediately report police officers who refuse to attend crime or accident scenes on the pretext of lacking official transport, with law enforcement authorities maintaining that all police stations countrywide are equipped with vehicles.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi issued the directive during Zimpapers’ Capitalk 100.4FM current affairs programme No Holds Barred on Monday, responding to listeners’ concerns over delayed police responses and reports of officers asking complainants to provide them with transport.
Comm Nyathi dismissed claims of vehicle shortages within the service, reiterating that the Government continues to resource the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to ensure effective operations.
“Members of the public are advised not to entertain the lie that police do not have vehicles. Government is procuring vehicles,” Comm Nyathi said.
“There is no police station in Zimbabwe without a vehicle, including in Harare.”
He advised citizens to report non-compliant officers directly to the ZRP public relations desk, which operates on a 24-hour basis, assuring that prompt disciplinary measures would be taken.
“Just a few weeks ago police bought 500 more motorbikes and in Harare we deployed more motorbikes, especially for police officers,” he said.
“Any police officer who gives excuses that they don’t have transport and is requesting a complainant to provide transport, call our public relations desk. Report such cases and action will be taken.”
Comm Nyathi said the new motorbikes would be used to enforce road traffic laws, with a zero-tolerance approach to driving against one-way traffic.
He also warned motorists who drive against one-way traffic that there will be no option for a fine, and offenders will go to jail.
“We want motorbikes to be used to enforce the law. If there is any driver who is caught driving against one way, whether you are an executive officer of a company, working in Government, you are from the army or police, you will go to jail. There will be no option for a fine,” he said.
“The Commissioner General (Steven Mutamba) has given us that directive. If people report such offenders, they will go to jail.”
He urged members of the public to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197.
Last month, police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba commissioned a batch of motorcycles for urban centres policing, rural patrol and traffic enforcement throughout the country.
The all-terrain motorcycles were allocated to police stations for effective management of scene attendance, crime management, general and specific patrols and tackling reckless driving conduct on the roads.
