ZLHR concerned with police conduct

ZLHR said in a statement that the incidents seemed to happen when the police were either attempting to arrest or pursue commuter omnibuses that service most commuters in Zimbabwe.

The lawyers’ concerns follow the recent death of Nell Tanatswa Mutyora (3), who sustained serious head injuries and died after he was knocked down by a commuter omnibus driver fleeing the police.

“It is important that the police in the performance of their duties respect and protect human dignity and protect human rights of all persons,” reads part of the ZLHR statement.

The statement reminded police officers that as public officers and in pursuance of law and order, they have a duty to uphold the Constitution which in Section 48 guarantees the right to life.

Section 51 of the Constitution also guarantees the right to human dignity and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.

ZLHR joined the public call for the police officers involved in the chase to be held to account for their actions both in their official and personal capacities and reminded drivers of public transport to adhere to the traffic laws and respect lives of passengers.