Chief Superintendent Enock Chishiri of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a temporary prohibition on the possession of certain weapons within the Gweru Urban Police District. This measure, enacted under Section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace & Order Act [Chapter 11:23], aims to address the increasing misuse of weapons and ensure public safety.
The ban, which will be in effect from July 25, 2024, to October 25, 2024, includes the public carrying or display of catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, or daggers. Chief Superintendent Chishiri emphasized that the alarming and rampant abuse of these weapons has necessitated this action. The areas affected by the prohibition extend from Midlands State University to Fletcher High School and include Daylesford, Coolmoreen Plots, Greenvale, Ridgemont, Hertfordshire, Montrose Plots, Woodlands, Mkoba 20, Mkoba 19, Mkoba 14, Mkoba 5, CSC, Heavy Industry, Dabuka, Southview Extension, and back to Midlands State University.
Under this directive, any police officer is authorized to seize without warrant any prohibited weapon found in public possession. These items will be placed in safe custody and submitted to the court for appropriate legal action.
Violators of this prohibition will face penalties, including a fine of up to level 5, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
