Cop nabbed for violating curfew

By Daniel Kachere

A police officer stationed at Rujeko Police Station in Masvingo was on Monday arrested in Beitbridge for violating the national lockdown regulations, Nhau has learnt.
According to an internal memo seen by Nhau, Mncedisi Ndlovu (rank not supplied) was arrested at Lutumba Junction in Beitbridge where a ferret team comprising of ZRP Support Unit, Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services and Central Intelligence Organisation members were deployed for the task at around 10.15pm.
He arrived at the checkpoint driving an unregistered Nissan caravan vehicle. After checking the vehicle, the team noticed that he had one sick woman on board while coming from Masvingo.
Upon further interrogation the team discovered that Ndlovu had no authority to be beyond curfew time.
“The accused person being a police officer had no permission or other authority whatsoever to leave his district neither was he in possession of an exemption letter to travel during lockdown,” it reads.
Police have since announced that they are going to get tougher on those violating the lockdown curfew with over 340 000 people having being arrested so far.
In a statement Tuesday police chief spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi warned members of the public that police officers will be out in full force to ensure compliance with the curfew order.
“The curfew order runs from 6pm to 6am the next day. Therefore, movements whether on foot or motorised are not allowed during this period and anyone found walking or driving will be arrested, with vehicles being impounded. Those travelling between cities should plan their journeys so that they do not breach the curfew order.” Nyathi said.
This week two bus crew members employed by Mulaudzi Bus Services, a South African bus company, were jailed eight months for violating national lockdown regulations prohibiting inter-city travel during the curfew.
This was after they were arrested while transporting 38 people from Mutare to Beitbridge. Nhau/Indaba