News / National
Bulawayo buys helmets for BCC police
15 hrs ago | Views
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has begun procuring helmets for its municipal police officers to shield them from increasing violent attacks by members of the public during law enforcement operations.
The local authority revealed the development in its weekly newsletter, Masiyephambili, noting that municipal police officers enforcing city by-laws have become frequent targets of assaults.
Speaking during belated World Day for Safety and Health at Work commemorations, BCC Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, said the majority of workplace injuries in the council's security section stem from violent resistance to law enforcement. She disclosed that more than 50 municipal employees were injured in 2024 alone.
"We have been forced to revise our safety provisions to include helmets for municipal police assigned to vending areas, which have become hard-hat zones due to the unruliness of some individuals resisting enforcement," said Mrs Zhou.
She added that municipal officers are increasingly facing dangerous confrontations. "When our officers try to enforce the law, they are attacked with all sorts of weapons — from stones to firearms and machetes — putting their lives in danger. We now urgently need protective gear such as hard helmets for our personnel."
Mrs Zhou also singled out pushcart operators as a persistent menace, saying they not only injure municipal staff but also endanger motorists in the city centre.
"Pushcart users shove our officers while resisting enforcement and have injured staff members. Motorists also struggle to manoeuvre around them. We urge the public to respect the law and those enforcing it, as they are simply doing their job," she said.
The Chamber Secretary further raised concern over impounded vehicles abandoned at the council's central stores, describing them as an eyesore. "We call upon the BCC disposal committee to expedite the process so that we do not keep such items in perpetuity," she said.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, marked annually on April 28, highlights the importance of occupational safety while raising awareness of work-related accidents and illnesses in line with international labour standards.
The local authority revealed the development in its weekly newsletter, Masiyephambili, noting that municipal police officers enforcing city by-laws have become frequent targets of assaults.
Speaking during belated World Day for Safety and Health at Work commemorations, BCC Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou, said the majority of workplace injuries in the council's security section stem from violent resistance to law enforcement. She disclosed that more than 50 municipal employees were injured in 2024 alone.
"We have been forced to revise our safety provisions to include helmets for municipal police assigned to vending areas, which have become hard-hat zones due to the unruliness of some individuals resisting enforcement," said Mrs Zhou.
Mrs Zhou also singled out pushcart operators as a persistent menace, saying they not only injure municipal staff but also endanger motorists in the city centre.
"Pushcart users shove our officers while resisting enforcement and have injured staff members. Motorists also struggle to manoeuvre around them. We urge the public to respect the law and those enforcing it, as they are simply doing their job," she said.
The Chamber Secretary further raised concern over impounded vehicles abandoned at the council's central stores, describing them as an eyesore. "We call upon the BCC disposal committee to expedite the process so that we do not keep such items in perpetuity," she said.
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, marked annually on April 28, highlights the importance of occupational safety while raising awareness of work-related accidents and illnesses in line with international labour standards.
Source - The Chronicle
