…As guards have developed a trigger free attitude
Leslie Karumbidza
Mutare -The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has been challenged to make probes and investigate security companies before issuing them gun operation licenses as guards have developed a gun-trigger free attitude resulting in increased numbers of fatal killings of people.
Judge Justice Isaac Muzenda made the remarks on September 27, 2021, as he sentenced Lazarus Dapira (54) a security guard of Roscommon Estate to five years imprisonment for culpable homicide two of which were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Speaking after the court judgment, Judge Justice lsaac Muzenda said there is need for reforms on the issuing of gun licenses to security guard companies and police should investigate them and make sure that the companies’ guards undergo proper trainings on how to handle the firearms.
“I call upon the police to change the manner in which they handle out firearms licenses to security companies as cases of unnecessary shooting involving guards which is leading to loss of human lives is on the rise in the country. Law enforcement agents should also see to it that all the guards employed by security companies are trained on how to handle the guns so as to avoid unnecessary loss of human lives,” said Muzenda.
Dapira was initially charged with murder.
The State represented by Tafadzwa Katsiru alleged that on September 14, 2017, Dapira accompanied by a police officer and four other security guards caused the death of Benson Mazvierengwi by shooting him on the head with a 12 Bore optima Shotgun allegedly for crimes committed at the Estate.
The accused’s defense line was that the gun discharged accidentally while fighting the deceased who was trying to disarm him.
Of late the integrity of Roscommon security guards have raised question from the general public as this is not the first case involving their employees causing unnecessary loss of life after last year Nicolas Bere from the same company fatally discharged his fireman at walking villagers at night in the process killing one and was convicted of murder
His defense line was that he thought that the villagers where a mob coming to attack him.
Cases of reckless loss of life involving security guards shooting have been on the rise in Mutare and Zimbabwe at large.
Earlier this month police in Harare arrested a 35-year-old security guard who fatally shot and killed a 22-year-old female ZUPCO conductor believed to be his estranged girlfriend.
The police even recovered a 38 Astra Revolver belonging to his security firm that he used to commit the heinous crime.
