By A Correspondent- The government has announced that it will be unleashing soldiers and the police on bars and streets of Harare to ensure that covid-19 lockdown rules are adhered to.

This was announced by Home Affairs minister, Kazembe Kazembe on Friday.

“In response to the spike in COVID-19 cases and fatalities across the country amid the third wave as well as the spread of the deadly variants such as the Delta variant, the security forces will ensure strict adherence to the level four COVID-19 lockdown in line with World Health Organisation protocols,” he said.

“All citizens are mandated to wear masks properly and strictly practise social distancing. Failure to wear face masks is a punishable offence, given the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Security officers will enforce strict compliance of the COVID-19 regulations without fear or favour.”

Added Kazembe: “In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, security forces will ensure that pirate taxis known as mushikashika are decisively dealt with as part of the COVID-19 measures. Those found violating the measures will be dealt with decisively.”

In June, police arrested 51 018 people for failing to wear masks properly.