A police vehicle Reg. No ZRP 046R was set on fire. A Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation vehicle Mazda B250 Reg, No ACM 2668 was burnt to ashes. A police base at Market Square was stoned and burnt. Constable Dhowe of ZRP National Traffic was attacked viciously, sustained a swollen jaw and injuries on the ribs. Constable Madhibha Force No. 075073A of ZRP Mabvuku Traffic was also attacked whilst driving a motor bike, corner First Street and Nelson Mandela. On August 24, 2016, at 12:00 hrs about 70 rowdy youths grouped along Inez Terrace and stoned a green Jeep Cherokee Reg. No ACV4825 belonging to Steven Mpamba. A Mercedez Benz Reg No AAJ 2293 belonging to Leonard Nyamuwambo Zuze was stoned and damaged. Choppies Supermarket at corner Rezende and Nelson Mandela Street was looted. Kellies shop at corner Speke Avenue and Inez Terrace was looted by protesters. Choppies Supermarket along Robert Mugabe was damaged and a wooden door set on fire. I am just trying to single out certain incidences that occurred during those disturbances.
Constable Morris Takawira Force No. 085484R of Harare central was attacked at corner Robert Mugabe and Harare Street and sustained head injuries. Constable Pesanayi of Butshwa Support Unit was hit by a stone on the left ankle during demonstrations. An assortment of electrical appliances were stolen from various shops within greater Harare. So, these are the things that were happening during those demonstrations.
Let us now look at the Rule of Law. We need to respect our own laws Mr. Speaker Sir. We also need to respect the Public Order and Security Act because it is our piece of legislation. We cannot be seen to be a lawless country and the police cannot stand and watch whilst protestors and illegal demonstrators attack defenseless citizens and officers on duty. The ZRP have a constitutional duty, obligation and a moral duty to protect citizens from marauding youths.
Opposition political parties allegedly are in the forefront of fomenting political violence and hostilities through unsanctioned demonstrations. The introduction of a noble Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016, you will remember very well that a warehouse in Beit Bridge was burnt to ashes and property got lost just because of the introduction of that noble statutory instrument. A militant group going by the name Tajamuka made up of violent youths from opposition parties has been I the forefront of fomenting violence and calling on other youths to engage in violent behavior. They were targeting institutions like the police force. The social media also has been used to propagate hate speech against this regime and all these things are happening under the guise of democracy and rights.
In conclusion, I am sure that men of sound judgement, sober habits and mind who are patriotic Zimbabweans will agree with me and testify that we have one of the best police forces in the region, if not in Africa and beyond. Over the years, our police force has exhibited great potential and professionalism as they carry out peace keeping and peace building missions in various war torn countries. The United Nations could not have employed the services of ZRP if it was not a professional police force. So, they have done these duties competently in countries like Angola, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Kosovo, East Timor and Burkina Faso. Our police officers have been in these countries to protect innocent lives.
Continued next page
(457 VIEWS)
