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Grace Nyoni Midlands Reporter
Police in the Midlands Province have announced a ban on the carrying and use of objects that can be used as weapons.

Midlands acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende, said the ban on carrying and use of objects that could be used as weapons in public was made to restore public order, guided by the Public Order and Security Act.

“In terms of Section 14 of Public Order and Security Act (Chapter 11), we announce the ban on carrying and use of objects that can be used as weapons in public so as to restore order in Midlands,” she said.

Asst Insp Mukwende said the District Regulatory Officers in Shurugwi, Gweru, Kwekwe and Redcliff had already effected the ban in their respective areas.

She said the banned weapons included axes, catapults, machetes, knobkerries, swords, knives, daggers and all traditional weapons that were likely to breach peace.

“District Regulatory Officers have already started implementing the ban in areas like Shurugwi, Gweru, Kwekwe and Redcliff,” Asst Insp Mukwende said.

He said the ban was with immediate effect.

Under the same ban, anyone who is found with a weapon, could spend six months in prison or heavily fined and in some cases both.

This comes after an increase in a spate of violence, where weapons such as machetes are used.

“The ban is with immediate effect since cases of people being attacked and murdered are victims of the same weapons being used on them,” said Asst Insp Mukwende.