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Thandeka Moyo/ Bridgette Moyo, Chronicle Reporters

POLICE in Bulawayo have with immediate effect banned the carrying of weapons in the city until June this year following an increase in murder, assault, malicious damage to property and kidnapping cases.

The weapons include catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives and daggers. 

In separate statements yesterday, the officers commanding the four policing districts in Bulawayo said anyone found in possession of weapons shall be liable to a fine or face imprisonment. 

The four are Chief Superintendents Marshall Dube (Nkulumane), Lethiwe Mhandu (Bulawayo West), Elizabeth Phiri (Central) and Engelbert Chamunorwa (Suburban).

“In terms of Section 14 (1) of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) Chapter 11.17, the carrying of weapons whether openly or by concealment in public or the public display of weapons is prohibited,” read the statements. 

“This encompasses any traditional weapon whatsoever which is likely to occasion public disorder or a breach of the peace for a period not exceeding three months which stretches from March 7 to June 6 this year.” 

Police said any person who fails to comply with the prohibition order shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or imprisonment for six months or both. 

“The reason for the prohibition follows an upsurge in crime involving the element of violence such as murder, assaults, malicious damage to property and kidnapping in Bulawayo province,” read the statements. 

“This prohibition order includes all policing areas which fall under Bulawayo Central, Suburban and Bulawayo West districts.” 

Meanwhile, police in the Midlands Province have imposed a similar prohibition in the province.

In a statement yesterday, acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said the prohibition order for Midlands Province districts became effective on March 11 and would be in force until May 11, 2019. 

 “The Zimbabwe Republic Police for Midlands’s province has of late witnessed a rise in violent cases that include murder, robberies that result in people being murdered and some violent demonstrations by misguided elements of society beginning January this year,” she said.

“As such, the regulating authorities for Midlands’ police districts have with immediate effect issued some prohibition orders in their respective policing areas to thwart any potential use of dangerous weapons that are calculated at causing harm to the general public”.

Asst Insp Mukwende said during the period, members of the public are banned from carrying catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggers and any traditional weapon in public.

“It is therefore, disturbing to note that people no longer have respect for the sanctity of life. People are moving around armed with such weapons as firearms, knives, and machetes and to some extent axes in a bid to instil fear and sometimes maiming their victims. We need that to stop with immediate effect” she said. 

“We are doing this to make sure that people are free from harm and they can be safe wherever they are. There is a need to make sure that these weapons are flushed out of the system if possible for the safety of the general public”.

Police in Matabeleland South and North recently enforced similar bans.

—@thamamoe