ZRP gives official statement after yesterday’s violent riots
Police have a constitutional mandate to maintain law and order as to safe guard constitutional rights of citizens, a senior cop has said.
The force spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba said they had instituted a manhunt for the perpetrators and conveners of yesterday’s violence after some MDC-T youths staged a demonstration leaving a trail of violence in the city Centre. She said there were video footages they were using to track the perpetrators.
Snr Ass Comm Charamba said two cars one belonging to ZRP and another to public broadcaster ZBC- were burnt by the demonstrators’ while groceries were looted from a Choppies supermarket in the CBD.
Snr Ass Comm Charamba said two cars one belonging to ZRP and another to public broadcaster ZBC- were burnt by the demonstrators’ while groceries were looted from a Choppies supermarket in the CBD.
A police base at the Market Square was also burnt by the demonstrators. Snr Ass Comm Charamba said several vehicles and shops were also stoned in the melee by the illegal demonstrators. “Police are there to maintain peace, law and order.
The public have a tendency of blaming the police as those who start violence but it was the public which started the skirmish which resulted in the destruction of property. “Groceries were looted from Choppies supermarket in the city Centre, two vehicles- one from ZRP and another from ZBC were burnt. We have had reports of several which were stoned, there is a video footage for the person who burned a car and some other perpetrators so we have instituted manhunt for the culprits,” she said.
Snr Ass Comm Charamba said the demonstration had not been sanctioned by the Officer Commanding Harare District after demonstrators started stoning people at a bank along Nelson Mandela before the demonstration could be sanctioned. “When the police received information that there was already a demonstration before it was sanctioned, the conveners were told to go and address their members and stop demonstrating but they continued with the illegal demonstration.
The demonstrators started stoning the police and vehicle as they marched towards Mukwati Building that is when police came in to maintain law and order. Other citizens also have their right to peace so the police have to ensure peace. We are currently looking for the perpetrators and the conveners,” she said. She said they were working flat-out to make sure the culprits are brought to book. She said a car that was being used to incite the youths had been identified.
“Some criminals could also have taken advantage of the unsanctioned demonstration to engage in their criminal activities. We have reports that running battles are still continuing with the MDC youths stoning the police around the Julius Nyerere and Copacabanna area this evening (last night). Snr Ass Comm Charamba said. She said police were still making arrests last night.
Source-H Metro
 |
| Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba |
Snr Ass Comm Charamba said the demonstration had not been sanctioned by the Officer Commanding Harare District after demonstrators started stoning people at a bank along Nelson Mandela before the demonstration could be sanctioned. “When the police received information that there was already a demonstration before it was sanctioned, the conveners were told to go and address their members and stop demonstrating but they continued with the illegal demonstration.
The demonstrators started stoning the police and vehicle as they marched towards Mukwati Building that is when police came in to maintain law and order. Other citizens also have their right to peace so the police have to ensure peace. We are currently looking for the perpetrators and the conveners,” she said. She said they were working flat-out to make sure the culprits are brought to book. She said a car that was being used to incite the youths had been identified.
“Some criminals could also have taken advantage of the unsanctioned demonstration to engage in their criminal activities. We have reports that running battles are still continuing with the MDC youths stoning the police around the Julius Nyerere and Copacabanna area this evening (last night). Snr Ass Comm Charamba said. She said police were still making arrests last night.
Source-H Metro
No comments