Military police roped into council operation

via Military police roped into council operation. 13 November 2014 by Nelson Sibanda

The ongoing combined Harare City Council and army operation to drive out unauthorised taxis and omnibuses from the Central Business District has provoked residents’ anger.

The operation has roped the military police into the civilian activities of the municipal law enforcement agents and their presence in the city centre is frightening innocent people going about their daily business.

Simbarashe Moyo, chairperson Combine Harare Residents Association, described the operation as an unwelcome programme aimed at intimidating poor citizens struggling to make an honest living on the streets.

He said the militarisation of council departments would not serve interests of the rate payer.

“The army has no business in the city centre. We condemn the joint operation in the strongest terms,” said Moyo.

Stephen Muza, a vendor at the Fourth Street bus terminus, said there was no need for Harare to involve the army. “This is a clear militarisation of an institution which is supposed to be supervised by the ratepayers as provided for in the constitution,” said Muza, vowing to stay put at his market stall.

The mayor, Benard Manyenyeni, said he was not aware of what was happening as the Town Clerk had engaged the Joint Operations Committee for the deal.

Observers said it was unfortunate that Harare decided to instil fear in ratepayers through the military. The involvement of the military had put people’s lives in danger as officers were “partisan, lacking human rights knowledge and socialised to brutalise innocent citizens for no apparent reason” said the analysts.

It is now a common sight to see military police aboard municipal trucks, one in front with the other in the loading bay, chasing either vendors or taxis across town.

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the police became unpopular for propping up Mugabe and Zanu (PF) when defeated at the polls by the people’s will. Harare town clerk, Tendai Mahachi and spokesperson, Lesley Gwindi, could not be reached for comment as they did not pick their mobile phones.