Opinion / Columnist
ZRP for Order or Disorder in the City Centre?
25 Feb 2016 at 10:28hrs | Views
Is Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) maintaining order or creating disorder on motorists in the Harare Central Business District (CBD)? The anarchy ruling in the capital city is so amazing that pedestrians' lives are put under siege by speeding motorists that are always in a cat-rat chase relationship. This has become a regular routine in the city. Is this the final death knell on the compliance of the capital city's by-laws? Is ZRP failing or capitalizing on this inundating matter?
Motorists informally referred to as 'Mushika-shika' pirating the short distances in the city, especially, Market Square - Fourth Street/Copa Cabana, City - Avondale are the most hardcore nuisance. They know no law at all. Police are always fighting them on a daily basis with no significant success. Does this indicate failure by the ZRP to police the area competently? Or they are deriving covert benefit out of this anarchy, or they are fighting symptoms instead of addressing the causes.
The Mushika-shika Operators are fond of lawlessness as they are in constant chase by the police for violating a vast array of traffic by-laws. When put under pressure by the police, they scary off in all directions at thunder lightening speeds thereby endangering the lives of ordinary citizens, especially pedestrians and other motorists. Numerous tragic incidents are on record for fatalities caused by these rowdy transport operators.
For how long can the nation afford to condone such recklessness in the capital city? What are working strategic solutions that can be done in our city in order to eradicate forever this anarchy?
While the Mushika-shika Operators are wrong, the ZRP also owes the public an explanation why they cannot restore permanent law, order and peace in this crime stricken sector.
ZRP is urged never to engage into high speed chase of motorists in this densely populated city centre as this risks possible crucification of innocent residents like what has been witnessed before. What is the purpose of using number plates if the police cannot utilize them to curb traffic crimes?
ZRP is challenged to act now to rescue this desperate situation which is threatening to deprive the capital city of its orderliness. And the city authorities equally share the same blame leveled against the police on city traffic for failing to create a conducive environment for motorists in the capital city where they concentrate on harassing motorists, rather than finding lasting solutions that appease the residents' expectations.
Motorists informally referred to as 'Mushika-shika' pirating the short distances in the city, especially, Market Square - Fourth Street/Copa Cabana, City - Avondale are the most hardcore nuisance. They know no law at all. Police are always fighting them on a daily basis with no significant success. Does this indicate failure by the ZRP to police the area competently? Or they are deriving covert benefit out of this anarchy, or they are fighting symptoms instead of addressing the causes.
The Mushika-shika Operators are fond of lawlessness as they are in constant chase by the police for violating a vast array of traffic by-laws. When put under pressure by the police, they scary off in all directions at thunder lightening speeds thereby endangering the lives of ordinary citizens, especially pedestrians and other motorists. Numerous tragic incidents are on record for fatalities caused by these rowdy transport operators.
While the Mushika-shika Operators are wrong, the ZRP also owes the public an explanation why they cannot restore permanent law, order and peace in this crime stricken sector.
ZRP is urged never to engage into high speed chase of motorists in this densely populated city centre as this risks possible crucification of innocent residents like what has been witnessed before. What is the purpose of using number plates if the police cannot utilize them to curb traffic crimes?
ZRP is challenged to act now to rescue this desperate situation which is threatening to deprive the capital city of its orderliness. And the city authorities equally share the same blame leveled against the police on city traffic for failing to create a conducive environment for motorists in the capital city where they concentrate on harassing motorists, rather than finding lasting solutions that appease the residents' expectations.
Source - Suitable Kajau
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