Opinion / Letters
ZRP using registered private vehicles
21 Sep 2015 at 12:33hrs |
5634 Views
EDITOR,
I have noted with concern the recent proliferation of private vehicles with the official Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) white and black registration number plates but not marked with the official ZRP logo or blue and white colours.
These vehicles cover every make and model common on our roads from sedans to single and double cab trucks and are in their original colours.
Can the appropriate department at ZRP have the courtesy to inform the nation on what is really happening as personally, I and maybe many other people, are in the dark?
My concern is that this can easily be hijacked by delinquent elements in our society to perpetrate criminal activities on unsuspecting and law abiding citizens.
The image and integrity of the ZRP at large may also become compromised as some of the vehicles that I have seen are not in very good shape.
In one of the vehicles I saw, the occupants appeared to be merrily drinking alcohol.
The questions that quickly come to mind are:
- If such a vehicle is driving behind me and signals me to stop, what should I do?
Either decision to oblige or not to will obviously put my personal safety at risk because it's either I'm exposing myself to criminal elements or failing to obey lawful instructions.
- Are these vehicles assigned official duties at any given time and what are the parameters that they are supposed to operate within?
An urgent explanation from the relevant authorities would be greatly appreciated.
Tendai A Kadzere
ZRP response to registered private vehicles Editor,
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has always used ZRP white number plates on a background of blue and white colours.
Owing to poor funding and lack of fiscal support, the organisation is facing challenges to procure resources to enable the painting of all police vehicles with their colours.
Our transport section has put in place measures to ensure that all such vehicles are accounted for through an efficient data base system.
Any member of the public who comes across a vehicle with white registration numbers and is suspicious should call the following numbers 04-748836 or 04-703631.
As ZRP we expect drivers of such vehicles donning white number plates to exhibit good behaviour and driving conduct.
Members of the public have a right to report any bad behaviour to the nearest police station.
Whenever you are stopped you have a right to demand a police identity card.
If you are suspicious, stop at a safe place and demand the driver to produce a police identity card. It is your right.
Snr Assistant Commissioner Charamba, ZRP national spokesperson
I have noted with concern the recent proliferation of private vehicles with the official Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) white and black registration number plates but not marked with the official ZRP logo or blue and white colours.
These vehicles cover every make and model common on our roads from sedans to single and double cab trucks and are in their original colours.
Can the appropriate department at ZRP have the courtesy to inform the nation on what is really happening as personally, I and maybe many other people, are in the dark?
My concern is that this can easily be hijacked by delinquent elements in our society to perpetrate criminal activities on unsuspecting and law abiding citizens.
The image and integrity of the ZRP at large may also become compromised as some of the vehicles that I have seen are not in very good shape.
In one of the vehicles I saw, the occupants appeared to be merrily drinking alcohol.
The questions that quickly come to mind are:
- If such a vehicle is driving behind me and signals me to stop, what should I do?
Either decision to oblige or not to will obviously put my personal safety at risk because it's either I'm exposing myself to criminal elements or failing to obey lawful instructions.
- Are these vehicles assigned official duties at any given time and what are the parameters that they are supposed to operate within?
An urgent explanation from the relevant authorities would be greatly appreciated.
Tendai A Kadzere
ZRP response to registered private vehicles Editor,
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has always used ZRP white number plates on a background of blue and white colours.
Owing to poor funding and lack of fiscal support, the organisation is facing challenges to procure resources to enable the painting of all police vehicles with their colours.
Our transport section has put in place measures to ensure that all such vehicles are accounted for through an efficient data base system.
Any member of the public who comes across a vehicle with white registration numbers and is suspicious should call the following numbers 04-748836 or 04-703631.
As ZRP we expect drivers of such vehicles donning white number plates to exhibit good behaviour and driving conduct.
Members of the public have a right to report any bad behaviour to the nearest police station.
Whenever you are stopped you have a right to demand a police identity card.
If you are suspicious, stop at a safe place and demand the driver to produce a police identity card. It is your right.
Snr Assistant Commissioner Charamba, ZRP national spokesperson
Source - chronicle
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