Mayor Mafume claims ZRP is out of jurisdiction to ...

Mayor Mafume claims ZRP is out of jurisdiction to inspect shop licences

Mayor of Harare, Jacob Mafume (@JMafume) / Twitter

Zim Now Writer

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has accused the Zimbabwe Republic Police of duplication of roles and stepping out of bounds by demanding licences from business operators.

This follows a viral video where police officers were demanding for a license from a shop owner.

“We have taken note of the video of police officers asking for business licences in the city centre and we are going to write to the Officer Commanding Harare asking him to explain.

"Police have no role in inspecting business licences in the city. It’s the duty of the Municipal Police.

"We believe that this is a duplication of roles that will breed-rent-seeking behaviour,” Mafume said.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the Harare City Council should call the Police Commissioner-General to address his dissatisfactions.

“The Harare mayor knows what to do when he has a complaint. He should write to the Police Commissioner-General.

“In terms of the country's laws, ZRP has a constitutional mandate to enforce all the laws promulgated by Parliament.

“We have the mandate to enforce laws such as Forestry Act, EMA Act and council by-laws in the country. So there is nothing sinister about police inspecting if businesses are operating within the confines of the law,” Nyathi said.