News / Local
Cops teargas another bus
30 Sep 2021 at 21:28hrs | Views
Police have started investigating a case in which some unidentified police officers on Tuesday threw teargas canisters into a Mulaudzi Bus full of passengers at an area yet to be identified.
Although police are still not yet sure about the scene, a viral video circulating on social media shows distraught passengers, including children, struggling to disembark from the tear smoke-filled bus through windows.
A child is seen falling face down upon exiting the bus while a woman drenches another child's face with water in a bid to neutralise the smoke's effect.
Some people allege that the incident occurred near Fidelity housing scheme in Harare located along the Harare-Masvingo highway while others said it was in Masvingo.
Other people also alleged that it was in Beitbridge.
The Beitbridge bound bus was alleged to have been involved in a high-speed chase with the police before being teargassed forcing the passengers to jump out of the bus.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said disciplinary action will be taken against the officers involved.
"Investigations are still in progress and we will take action against those errant officers.
"We are still trying to find out the area in which the incident occurred to ascertain whether it's Harare, Masvingo, Mutare or Beitbridge. But what I can assure you is that action will be taken and we want these officers to account for their actions," he said.
In October last year, seven police officers threw teargas canisters into a Rimbi bus full of passengers at the Harare Exhibition Park. The seven police officers, who were arrested after the incident, had wanted to arrest the bus driver because he had a Class 2 driver's licence instead of a Class 1 required to drive buses.
The officers were identified, with the one responsible for throwing the canister having been arrested.
"Disciplinary action was taken against the officer responsible and he has since engaged lawyers and the matter is still pending before the courts.
"However, we want to give a stern warning to officers who engage in activities that tarnish the image of the force that action will be taken," Asst Comm said.
Although police are still not yet sure about the scene, a viral video circulating on social media shows distraught passengers, including children, struggling to disembark from the tear smoke-filled bus through windows.
A child is seen falling face down upon exiting the bus while a woman drenches another child's face with water in a bid to neutralise the smoke's effect.
Some people allege that the incident occurred near Fidelity housing scheme in Harare located along the Harare-Masvingo highway while others said it was in Masvingo.
Other people also alleged that it was in Beitbridge.
The Beitbridge bound bus was alleged to have been involved in a high-speed chase with the police before being teargassed forcing the passengers to jump out of the bus.
"Investigations are still in progress and we will take action against those errant officers.
"We are still trying to find out the area in which the incident occurred to ascertain whether it's Harare, Masvingo, Mutare or Beitbridge. But what I can assure you is that action will be taken and we want these officers to account for their actions," he said.
In October last year, seven police officers threw teargas canisters into a Rimbi bus full of passengers at the Harare Exhibition Park. The seven police officers, who were arrested after the incident, had wanted to arrest the bus driver because he had a Class 2 driver's licence instead of a Class 1 required to drive buses.
The officers were identified, with the one responsible for throwing the canister having been arrested.
"Disciplinary action was taken against the officer responsible and he has since engaged lawyers and the matter is still pending before the courts.
"However, we want to give a stern warning to officers who engage in activities that tarnish the image of the force that action will be taken," Asst Comm said.
Source - the herald
