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Midlands Bureau
Police here have banned the carrying of dangerous weapons as part of measures to reduce the number of assault and murder cases.

In a statement on Monday, provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said the ban became effective on March 11 and would be in force until May 11 2019.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police in the Midlands Province has of late witnessed a rise in violent cases of murder, robberies and some violent demonstrations by misguided elements of the 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.

“The prohibition will run from March 11 to May 11, 2019 for the whole Province. For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that in terms of Section 14(4) of POSA (Chapter 11:17), any person failing to comply with such a prohibition made under sub section (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or imprisonment for six months or both such fine and imprisonment.

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 firearms, knives, and machetes and to some extent axes to instil fear and sometimes to harm their victims. We need that to stop with immediate effect,” she said.

Asst Insp Mukwende said the police felt the need to restore peace and order and also ensure the safety of people.

“We are doing this to make sure that people are free from harm and can feel safe wherever they are,” she said.