Bulawayo City Council to engage police on use of spikes

The Bulawayo City Council has raised concern over the use of spikes by police officers manning road blocks resulting in injuries of passengers.

According to the latest council report, councillors were was concerned about the use of spikes by police officers manning road blocks, citing the case of Khami Road flyover where people were injured as result of such operations.

The councillors suggested dialogue with police on this sensitive issue, as residents were also worried about this.

They the use of spikes was endangering the lives of commuters and an alternative should therefore be found to deal with offending commuter omnibus drivers.

Councillor McDonald said that the Zimbabwe Republic Police should record vehicle registration numbers for tracking defiant commuter operators rather than use spikes.

"The Chairperson (Councillor Norman Hlabani) explained that the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Council fell under different ministries which made it difficult for Council to intervene. He pointed out that there was need to lobby Members Parliament to talk about such issues," read the report.

"In response the Chamber Secretary (Sikhangele Zhou) explained that the police had power to man road blocks, in terms of relevant statutes. Council had no right to man road blocks but worked in collaboration with the Police.

"The misconduct of commuter omnibus drivers had caused the use of spikes by Zimbabwe Republic Police. Council had no power to regulate police duties. However Council could engage stakeholders on this sensitive issue as appropriate."