Gweru urban police bans carrying of dangerous weap...

Gweru urban police bans carrying of dangerous weapons

ZRP bans dangerous Weapons in Gweru - The Sun Newspaper

Zim Now Writer

Gweru Urban Chief Superintendent Tambudzai Gumpo has signed a prohibition order banning the carrying of dangerous weapons in public as cases involving the use of such weapons are now widespread and threatening public safety.

The prohibition order will run for three months from June 1 to October 1.

This is due to the increase in cases of violence involving knives, machetes, knobkerries, swords, spears or daggers, catapults, and other offensive weapons or other traditional weapons.

“The reason of these Prohibition Orders is to curb crimes of assaults, robbery, murder, rape and where carrying of weapons may be used in the commission of crime.

“Acting in terms of section 4 of Maintenance Of Peace And Order Act [Chapter 11:23] [Hereinafter referred to as MOPA], I, Chief Superintendent Gumpo, do hereby temporarily prohibit the carrying in public (whether openly or by concealment in a public place or public thoroughfare) or public display of any of the following weapons or items capable of use as weapons namely, catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggers for a period of 3 months that is from 01 June 2023 to 31 August 2023 because cases involving the use of these weapons are now rampant and threatening the very existence of public safety,” she said.

Chief Supt Gumpo said any police officer will be authorised to seize without warrant, any weapon or item capable of use as a weapon, found in the possession of any person in contravention of this prohibition notice, and shall place in safe custody every weapon or item so seized so that it may be submitted to the jurisdiction of the court to be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Any person who fails to comply with this prohibition notice shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Level 5 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

“We are appealing to members of the community to comply with the order and to report all those they see in possession of any weapons at their nearest police station,” she noted.

Chief Supt Gumpo highlighted that Gweru Urban Police District covers areas from the Midlands State University extending to Fletcher High School, Daylesford, Coolmoreen Plots, Greenvale, Ridgemont, Hertfordshire, Montrose Plots, Woodlands, Mkoba 20, Mkoba 19, Mkoba 14, Mkoba 5, CSC, Heavy Industry, Dabuka, and Southview extension.