Source: Police ban carrying of weapons – DailyNews Live
Helen Kadirire 27 March 2017
HARARE – Surge in murder cases has prompted the Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) to ban the carrying of weapons such as slingshot catapults and also
rope in traditional leaders and churches in order to fight the scourge.
There has been an increase in murder cases especially over petty disputes
something that the police say requires involvement of all communities.
ZRP deputy national spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the disputes are mostly
over family matters, beer drinking arguments and acts for criminal gain.
In a statement, Nyathi said in order to curtail the reckless use of
weapons to commit crimes, police have immediately prohibited the carrying
of dangerous weapons across the country.
“Human life is sacrosanct and as such should be respected. The use of
weapons such as iron bars, knives, axes and others to commit murder and
robbery cases should stop forthwith,” Nyathi said.
He added that in order to curb crime, all officers commanding police
districts have been directed to invoke their powers in their respective
areas in terms of the Public Order and Security Act.
Nyathi said on March 13, a 38-year-old man from Macheke had a dispute with
his wife over alleged infidelity.
The man who is currently at large is alleged to have assaulted his wife
with an iron bar on the head which resulted in her death.
On the same day in Masvingo, a 41-year-old man from Gutu was killed by a
21-year-old man from the same area after a dispute at a local bottle
store.
Nyathi said on March 13 the young man arrived at the store and took the
now deceased’s beer and began drinking it without consent.
“A misunderstanding arose between the two and they started fighting but
the other patrons restrained them. It is suspected that the suspect later
waylaid the now deceased on his way home and stabbed him with a sharp
object on the left armpit leading to his death,” Nyathi said.
The chief superintendent said on March 21 in Chipinge a father and son had
a dispute during the night after which, the son stabbed his father and
fled the scene.
Nyathi said the 51-year-old man was ferried to Muteyo Clinic where he died
on arrival.
The son was later arrested and is in police custody.
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