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Advocate Mpofu takes on State House security guards
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Prominent Zimbabwean lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has called for an end to the harassment of citizens whose vehicles break down near State House in Harare.
His remarks follow a video posted online in September 2025 showing a truck that had stalled near the State House perimeter, with the people involved allegedly being ordered by security personnel to push the vehicle despite the mechanical failure.
In a similar incident in August 2025, a kombi driver reportedly lost control and crashed into the State House perimeter, after which passengers were reportedly rounded up by armed guards.
Advocate Mpofu took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the treatment, stating that no law permits the State to mistreat people simply because their vehicle has failed. He wrote:
"The abuse suffered by motorists and passengers who break down at or near the State House must stop. No law authorises the state to mistreat people simply because their vehicle has failed. You can't punish people for bad luck. Unless there are credible reasons to suspect they intend to damage the granite wall, they are entitled to respect. Under the law, every restraint on liberty is prima facie unlawful and must be justified; that principle is not location‑dependent and must be upheld at all times."
Advocate Mpofu's statement underscores the legal principle that all individuals are entitled to protection from arbitrary restraint, regardless of circumstance or location.
His remarks follow a video posted online in September 2025 showing a truck that had stalled near the State House perimeter, with the people involved allegedly being ordered by security personnel to push the vehicle despite the mechanical failure.
In a similar incident in August 2025, a kombi driver reportedly lost control and crashed into the State House perimeter, after which passengers were reportedly rounded up by armed guards.
Advocate Mpofu took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the treatment, stating that no law permits the State to mistreat people simply because their vehicle has failed. He wrote:
"The abuse suffered by motorists and passengers who break down at or near the State House must stop. No law authorises the state to mistreat people simply because their vehicle has failed. You can't punish people for bad luck. Unless there are credible reasons to suspect they intend to damage the granite wall, they are entitled to respect. Under the law, every restraint on liberty is prima facie unlawful and must be justified; that principle is not location‑dependent and must be upheld at all times."
Advocate Mpofu's statement underscores the legal principle that all individuals are entitled to protection from arbitrary restraint, regardless of circumstance or location.
Source - online
