By Staff Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says parents and guardians must not lower the guard and let minors consume alcohol and other intoxicating substances during the festive season.
In recent years, social media has been awash with images and videos of visibly drunk underage children who would have taken alcohol, sometimes right under the noses of their elders.
In a statement ahead of the Unity Day, Christmas and New Year holidays, outgoing Police Commissioner-General, Godwin Tandabantu Matanga warned of the risk of letting children consume alcohol.
“…may I take this opportunity to strongly warn parents and guardians who allow minors under the guise of merry-making to partake in beer drinking orgies,” Matanga said.
He also warned those operating unlicensed liquor outlets or shebeens to desist from the illegal practices.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of reports of liquor outlets in some Central Business Districts and residential areas which are not observing the provisions of the Liquor Act, Chapter 14:12 by operating outside their stipulated opening and closing times.”
Some illegal joints are accused of dispensing beer and other intoxicating substances to children, thereby exposing them to harm.
“Some are even allowing minors to access alcohol through their facilities. May I buttress that arrests will be effected, and the law will certainly take its course.”
Meanwhile, ZRP says it will be out in full force during this festive season to arrest those who intend to smuggle goods in and out of the country during the festive season.
It will deploy 24 hours roadblocks during this peak season in order to curb smuggling of gadgets, second hand clothes, cars and food items.
Matanga said all importers and exporters should lead by example, failure of which the law will take its course if found sneaking in contraband.
“Police officers will also take action against anyone found engaging in the smuggling of goods into and out of the country.
“May I take this opportunity to encourage all individuals and institutions involved in the importation and exportation activities to lead by example and officially declare all goods at the country’s ports of entry and exit.
“The law will take its course without fear or favour on transporters who are involved in smuggling activities and those using undesignated points along our border lines to commit crime,” said Matanga.
“In this regard, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has made adequate deployments to ensure that peace prevails throughout the period.
“The deployments will include, heightened roadblocks, traffic blitz, stop and search,the motorized and cycle patrols to curb crime, road traffic accidents, maintain law and order Central Business Districts, residential, industrial as well leisure facilities to be frequented by the public while celebrating the country’s Unity Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s eve (2025).
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges all stakeholders who include transporters, to prioritize the safety and security of the public on the roads and all gatherings,” said the commissioner-general.
He said ZRP deployed police officers on a blitz on all roads inorder to weed out unroadworthy cars which will be impounded, and all pirate taxis barred from passing checkpoints.
“As road safety campaigns are being conducted, the Zimbabwe Republic Police shall impound all defective and unroadworthy vehicles.
“In the same measure, the commuting public are discouraged from boarding non-public service vehicles for their own safety and other travellers. May I caution drivers to avoid overloading of vehicles and speeding on the roads.
“May I, therefore, reiterate that road safety campaigns will include the components of education to prevent accidents, promote compliance with road rules and regulations and strict enforcement of the country’s laws to ensure that no pirate taxis or mushika-shika vehicles are allowed to pass through police check points,” said Matanga.
He further cautioned Public Service Vehicle operators, both local and cross border to minimise night travelling as most fatal road traffic accidents are being recorded at night due to vision and observation challenges.
Motorists and citizens should also avoid crossing flooded rivers and bridges and take note of the rainy season as the roads will be slippery.
The police chief said his office will also take action on reports of corruption on the country’s roads.
He also warned the public to be alert and safety conscious to curb cases of robbery, murder and other crimes.
“As the public embarks on various activities during this festive period, families, businesspersons and institutions should avoid carrying or keeping large sums of money at home or offices to curb robbery and other related violent criminal acts,” said Matanga
The police boss also warned that individuals who want to discharge fireworks and other gadgets that will likely disturb the safety and security of the general populace to first notify the police.
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