…warns municipal police from taking intoxicating substances at work
Rutendo Chirume
Masvingo City Council (MCC) municipal police were recently banned from using spikes at moving vehicles citing implications which it has on vehicles in motion and the public.
The minutes of a council meeting held on May 05 resolved that municipal police should never throw spikes at moving vehicles since the practice was dangerous to the public.
“The Committee raised concern on dangers associated with the throwing out of spikes to a vehicle in motion. The municipal police were strictly advised never to throw out a spike to a moving vehicle since the practice was dangerous to the public,” read part of the minutes.
The municipal police once threw a spike on a moving taxi resulting in the injury of two vehicle occupants with one sustaining a broken leg.
On another issue on activities of the municipal police, it was resolved that council should take proper measures against officers who take intoxicating substances during working hours whereas the Chamber Secretary should ensure Municipal police guards at Civic Center have access to ablution facilities.
“On the issue of the alleged taking of intoxicating substances during working hours by some of the municipal police details, the committee agreed that council should buy a breathalyzer to enable the supervisors to scientifically prove the allegations.
“The committee raised concern that guards manning Civic Center offices were having challenges in accessing the ablution rooms during the night since all entrances would be locked,” added the minutes.
The move to ban use of spikes follows a move by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) also to desist from the use of such spikes after the Mutare fatal incident following an officer with the force allegedly throwing a spike to a moving Kombi.
