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The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) condemned the action of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Masvingo in an incident where the law enforcers were alleged to have used teargas on passengers travelling by bus in that ancient city.
“The actions of the police are inhumane and a threat to passenger rights and security. In this 21st century, the police should be using policing methods that are in tandem with time and improvements in communication technologies. The Zimbabwean Police Force must desist from using those primitive methods and become technological. They should not abate crime by committing a crime themselves.
“Passengers Association of Zimbabwe is asking the Zimbabwe Republic Police to be sincere by giving us the details leading to such action. They should enlighten us on its codes of conduct and ethics prior to its action. We also want to know the basic elements of public policing in relation to consequences that lead to the implementation of canisters where there were children on board and many passengers with various health issues and pregnant women,” lamented Tafadzwa George Goliati, the PAZ President.
ZRP Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not available to confirm this incident when this publication contacted him regarding the matter.
PAZ contends that despite the overwhelming evidence of such brutality, the ZRP will likely deny or justify their action.
“As a nation, we are no longer safe in the face of the police force because they have given themselves the attitude to do anything that is dangerous to passengers. Their actions range from throwing canisters on buses and spikes at moving vehicles. Where in their policing is it indicated that they are mandated to throw canisters in moving vehicles carrying civilians?
“Passengers Association of Zimbabwe questions the level of education the Zimbabwean Police force have. Their operations lack logic and an application of common sense. Besides causing health threats to the passengers, there is damage to the vehicle and loss of belongings. Who is going to meet the costs of damages done through this poor method of policing?
“We do not support crime in Zimbabwe as passengers. The police should have called the nearest police post ahead to intercept the bus while in pursuit. This use of force is dangerous. ZRP should not be taking chances because passengers may die due to accident. This time it’s not a human error on the part of the police but it’s showing it’s a behaviour inherent in them,” Goliati added.
PAZ added that the conduct of the Zimbabwean Police Force leaves a lot to be deserved.
“We advise the police force not to be a danger to passengers. Their actions cause them to lose credibility and trust from the citizens. Passengers Association of Zimbabwe is seeking the arrest of those officers who threw teargas on the bus. There were children and pregnant women and passengers with a variety of health issues. Before doing some actions the officers should first ask themselves questions to authenticate justifications of their actions. This is high-class bullying from the law enforcement agencies in our own country.”
