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Deputy Minister Mguni

Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Obedingwa Mguni has said police will continue mounting roadblocks throughout the country to ensure that the country remained peaceful and sanity prevailed on the roads.

Speaking during his tour of the Police General Headquarters on Monday, Deputy Minister Mguni said roadblocks were meant to curb road carnage and the movement of criminals, among other ills.

“In Parliament when I am there, I always receive questions about the police,” he said. “Questions like the population of Zimbabwe versus the number of police officers. Why are we having 50 000 police officers, is that the correct balance with the total population of Zimbabwe versus 50 000 police officers we have?

“Why are the police not having name tags when they are executing their duties? They are also concerned why there are so many roadblocks on the roads. I think that one I managed to answer.

“I think those roadblocks should be there. That is why Zimbabwe is so peaceful. Because you can’t go through all those roadblocks even if you are carrying firearms or drugs, police will get you.”

In February 2014, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri said police would continue mounting roadblocks on the country’s roads despite criticism from individuals and organisations that road blocks were too many to serve any useful purpose.

He said there was no country in the world which did not have police roadblocks.

Comm-Gen Chihuri said setting up roadblocks was a police function and it was decided by the force in terms of the law.

He said as long as there were roads, motor vehicles and criminals, roadblocks would be set up.

Deputy Minister Mguni said he recently received a complaint in Parliament that due to limited resources, some of the officers were being offered lifts by com- plainants.

He cited an example were officers were given lifts by people travelling to buy livestock in rural areas so that they would clear their livestock.

Deputy Minister Mguni said they had engaged a group of people willing to lend money to the police so that they acquire resources and improve their functions.

He said this would have to go through the normal channels and through the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa, so that the funds were managed properly.

Deputy Minister Mguni urged police to ensure that they created a fair, accountable and transparent environment in which people can do business freely.