Chido Mbewu / The Zimbabwe Republic Police has buckled to public pressure, has been forced to suspend officers who failed to enforce Covid-19 regulations, at a controversial Mbare New Year’s eve crossover bash.
The bash attracted a public outcry over the recklessness of the ZRP in failing to control large crowds or ‘super-spreaders’ at a time the country is at its most vulnerable.
Covid-19 cases have been on the increase with the government over the weekend announcing more tightened lockdown measures, while the ministry of health reports 4 deaths and 564 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours.
Concern has however, been raised over the overcrowded conditions the scores of the initially arrested Mbare residents are detained under in police custody.
A statement issued by the police, reads that investigations conducted showed, the officers did not perform their duties.
“Investigations conducted have revealed that the senior officer and junior members did not perform their duties according to police set standards and Government’s Covid-19 regulations in their handling of the illegal Mbare Musical bash held by DJ Fantan and his associates on December 31.”
The suspended officers are, Superintendent Innocent Makumbe, Inspector Garikai Jiyane, officer in charge, Inspector Peace Nyarai Gunhe, duty officer, and Assistant Inspector Vengai Mupamhanga, duty member, were suspended from police duty by the Commissioner General of Police pending disciplinary action.
The issued statement further reads, “Investigations conducted have revealed that the senior officer and junior members did not perform their duties according to police set standards and Government’s Covid-19 regulations in their handling of the illegal Mbare Musical bash held by DJ Fantan and his associates on December 31.”
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and cautious in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We want to urge the public, let us be responsible. Covid-19 is real. Let us not wait for someone to tell us to behave responsibly. Let us not wait for somebody to tell us that Covid-19 is killing people daily, including in our own country.
“Please, I want to appeal to the public: let us be safety-conscious and fight the covid-19 pandemic together. Let us support the efforts of the government; let us not take things for granted and cry foul when we have contracted the pandemic, when someone has died,” he said.