Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. POLICE will be deployed heavily across the country ahead of the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, with reckless drivers warned of arrest as part of efforts to curb road accidents.
In a statement yesterday, Police Commissioner-General Shepherd Mutamba said the deployed police officers will be conducting “roadblocks, stop and search blitz, patrols and awareness campaigns” throughout the country.
He urged vehicle owners to be law abiding citizens by observing roads rules and regulations to curb road accidents, adding that the recent Seke road accident in Chitungwiza was a clarion call for vehicle safety to be prioritised through regular servicing and maintenance.
“No vehicle should be driven on the roads with mechanical defects. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will, therefore, impound all unroadworthy vehicles for the safety of Zimbabweans,” Mutamba said.
“In the same vein, all vehicles moving on the roads should be duly registered in terms of the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, Chapter 13: 14. Vehicles driven with no number plates will be impounded.
“In fact, drivers are warned not to inconvenience their families this holiday by moving with vehicles which do not display registration plates. I have ordered police commanders to impound such vehicles with no excuses being entertained.”
Mutamba also warned motorists with vehicles illegally fitted with blue lights or sirens “without authority from my office”, saying this was the preserve of the Presidium.
“The only exceptions are ambulances which are fitted with sirens and red lights which should be switched on during emergency cases,” the police boss added.
“I am also concerned with vehicles driven on the roads while illegally fitted with bar lights in clear contravention of provisions of Statutory Instrument 129/2015.
“My office has directed police commanders to strategically deploy police officers to flush out all motorists, whether public or private driving such vehicles without the requisite authority. Those found wanting shall be arrested and vehicles impounded, citizens must observe road traffic laws.”
Mutamba said public service vehicle operators should stick to the terms of their vehicle service permits and route authority by carrying the stipulated number of passengers as certified for each vehicle, adding that speeding, overtaking in situations which are not safe to do so and overloading vehicles would be “severely” dealt with by the police.
“Any public service vehicle operator who employs touts or allows them to harass passengers using their company name will be held accountable by the Police.”
Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said additional officers have been deployed nationwide to bolster safety for travellers and the general public during the holidays.
He said specialised crack teams have been mobilised to respond swiftly to armed robberies and other serious crimes, reaffirming the commitment of the law enforcement agents to public safety and at the same time stressing that maintaining security is a collective effort.
Nyathi urged citizens to report suspicious activities to authorities immediately, avoid keeping large sums of cash at homes or businesses and refrain from sharing sensitive financial information that could be exploited by criminals.
He emphasised the need for parental vigilance to protect children from drug abuse and violence.
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