News / Local
Police ignore motorists' plea on roadblocks
01 Jan 2014 at 07:45hrs | Views
A policeman stands with spikes that officers use to puncture vehicle tyres, along Luveve Road this morning, oblivious of the danger it causes to passengers.
POLICE yesterday [Tuesday] said they would continue mounting roadblocks on the country's despite protests by motorists over their high number, as the holiday death toll increased to 86.
National police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said no matter how much people complained, the police would not be deterred from carrying out their duty of preserving life.
Residents, especially those from Bulawayo had complained that the police were mounting so many roadblocks; they had become a nuisance on the road.
"Imagine, along a nine kilometer stretch of Khami Road, there were six roadblocks this morning. It took me more than an hour to get to the city centre. I usually take about 20 minutes," said Kelly Moyo of Pumula North.
She said police were stopping almost every car that passed and would throw metal spikes on the road to puncture the wheels of vehicles, whose drivers did not comply.
"They just want bribes. If you do not pay, they detain you until the rush hour is over or they impound your car," said a Kombi driver. There were seven roadblocks between Cowdray Park and the city centre this morning. In a distance of about 12 kilometres.
When there is real crime, they say they are short staffed, but you see so many of them on the road, inconveniencing travellers."
Chief Supt Nyathi said police were yet to receive official complaints on the matter.
"I am not aware of the complaints but we will not be deterred from performing our constitutional duties. We will not compromise people's lives because we are mandated to protect people's lives and safeguard properties.
"We will continue to mount roadblocks on the country's highways, residential and industrial areas, despite the complaints.
"If we do not deploy police officers on our roads, people complain and when we do so people complain again. We will therefore do what is right," said Supt Nyathi.
National police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said no matter how much people complained, the police would not be deterred from carrying out their duty of preserving life.
Residents, especially those from Bulawayo had complained that the police were mounting so many roadblocks; they had become a nuisance on the road.
"Imagine, along a nine kilometer stretch of Khami Road, there were six roadblocks this morning. It took me more than an hour to get to the city centre. I usually take about 20 minutes," said Kelly Moyo of Pumula North.
She said police were stopping almost every car that passed and would throw metal spikes on the road to puncture the wheels of vehicles, whose drivers did not comply.
When there is real crime, they say they are short staffed, but you see so many of them on the road, inconveniencing travellers."
Chief Supt Nyathi said police were yet to receive official complaints on the matter.
"I am not aware of the complaints but we will not be deterred from performing our constitutional duties. We will not compromise people's lives because we are mandated to protect people's lives and safeguard properties.
"We will continue to mount roadblocks on the country's highways, residential and industrial areas, despite the complaints.
"If we do not deploy police officers on our roads, people complain and when we do so people complain again. We will therefore do what is right," said Supt Nyathi.
Source - Byo24News
