Gokwe (New Ziana) – Police in Gokwe on Tuesday issued a prohibition order banning the carrying of dangerous weapons in the district for three months following a sharp rise in crimes of passion in which an assortment of domestic weapons are commonly used.
District police commanding officer, chief superintendent Tsitsi Chikono said failure to comply with the prohibition order would attract a fine or six months imprisonment.
“In terms of section 4(1) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (chapter 11:23) I, Chief Superintendent Tsitsi Chikono, being the officer commanding police Gokwe district and therefore the regulating authority of Gokwe District policing area… believe on reasonable grounds that due to rise in crimes of passion and use of weapons, 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; a) catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, spears or daggers, b) any traditional weapon whatsoever is likely to occasion public disorder or a breach of the peace, hereby issue an order prohibiting the carrying of such weapons in Gokwe district or any part thereof for a period not exceeding three months, that is from 20 January to 20 April 2022.”
She added: “For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that in terms of section 4(4) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Chapter 11:23) any person failing to comply with such a prohibition made under Subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or to imprisonment for six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
“Members of the public are warned to desist from carrying or displaying in public any weapons whatsoever likely to occasion public disorder or breach of peace; for the specified period of time.”
Gokwe policing district covers areas that are on the border of Munyati River, Nkayi, Lupane and Hwange Districts.
The areas include Mutukanye, Mateme, Nyaje, Kana, Mukoka, Msala, Mbungu, Maboke, Marirangwe, Sengwa Research, Chirisa Game Park, Simuchembo, Zhomba and Guyu among others.
There has been an increase in murder cases in the district, much of it centred on marital differences.
Other cases have involved mining gang rivalries in which machetes are used in fights.
New Ziana