Mzembi raises alarm over Municipal police arrest powers

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi has criticised the Government's decision to grant municipal police officers powers to arrest individuals who violate local by-laws, warning that the move could lead to increased harassment of ordinary citizens.

Cabinet this week approved the Municipal Police and Courts Bill, which empowers municipal police officers to arrest offenders enforcing municipal by-laws and establishes municipal courts to handle by-law violations, minor offences and traffic-related cases. The Bill was presented by the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.

Reacting to the development, Mzembi argued that arresting powers should remain the exclusive responsibility of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), saying local authorities should not be entrusted with such authority.

"The ZRP should retain its arresting powers and discharge these efficiently; subcontracting them to Municipal Councils will just increase the harassment of ordinary offenders, vendors, motorists, street kids etc," Mzembi said.

He urged Government to prioritise economic reforms rather than introducing measures that could criminalise vulnerable groups.

"Emphasis should be on making the Economy work and engaging potential offenders in productive streams of the Economy. Making the Economy inclusive and productive," he said.

Mzembi also expressed concern over the conduct of municipal parking attendants, arguing that granting them or similar municipal enforcement personnel expanded powers could worsen the situation.

"There is hell already with Parking Attendants; if you are a VVIP you may not know it as you prescribe new laws; I can't imagine those folks as an extension of arresting powers," he added.

However, Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart defended the need for stronger municipal enforcement, while acknowledging concerns over possible abuse of power.

Coltart said municipalities have long struggled to enforce their own by-laws because they lack adequate enforcement authority, undermining local governance and service delivery.

While stressing that innocent residents should not be subjected to harassment, he said any new legislation should contain strong safeguards to prevent municipal police officers from exceeding or abusing their powers.

He added that respect for the rule of law requires both effective enforcement of municipal by-laws and adequate protections to ensure that enforcement officers remain accountable.

The Municipal Police and Courts Bill forms part of Government's broader efforts to strengthen local governance, improve compliance with municipal by-laws and enhance public safety through the establishment of municipal police services and specialised municipal courts.