Covid-19: Let’s stand in line, stop the scourge

THE first days of the first national lockdown in 2020 were met with wonder, despair and hope.

When Government issued guidelines for public conduct when the disease was wreaking havoc in other countries and when the police and other security agents cracked the whip, the scenario around pointed to a totally different scenario; a tale of stories just being told. Nothing much was visible in terms of the manifestation of Covid-19.

This time around as statistics indicate a spike of the disease, fresh and more stringent measures have been put in place, effectively driving back everyone into the confines of their homes. Why not when people are dying every day.

It is the kind of crash test that should have sent all of us scurrying for safety and speeding up behavioural change, yet some elements among us never take matters seriously and in so doing drag everyone else with them to their demise.

To begin with, the arrest of 545 people for flouting Covid-19 regulations during the first two days of Level Four of the national lockdown is a serious cause for concern.

While some took the measures seriously and heeded the call, some chose to step a foot out and test the depth of the waters inch-by-inch until they realised they are neck deep in trouble.

Others dumped the cat and mouse battles and switched onto the hide and seek game, shuttling between backyard and midnight operations.

Some illegal transport operators have devised ways of circumventing police roadblocks in perpetuation of their illegal activities.

We will fish out these criminal elements out for the purpose of emphasizing the folly in bending rules for selfish ends and the wisdom in towing the line together with the rest of the populace.

As the police and concerned entities continue to sound awareness messages to the public on safety guidelines, we would like to assure the public of the police’s commitment to ensuring that those meddling with people’s lives by flouting the law are decisively dealt with.

The call here is for everyone to keep an eagle’s eye on the next person and the community at large.

We call on everyone to take each to task, to demand sincerity in following and enforcement of Covid-19 safety guidelines and restrictions.

Let us all tug at the coronavirus rope in unison and with an equal one way force.

We call for tip-offs and general information on individuals and groups of people ignoring the call to adhere to the stringent measures put in place to curtail the spike in Covid-19.

The police have been sieged with reports of street and backyard operations of prohibited trade in food, alcohol and various wares.

Please keep the information rolling in. The only operators allowed in the food sector are approved and registered distributors and suppliers of food.

It is therefore advised that enforcement of provisions of guidelines for Covid-19 include enforcement of any other law around such guidelines. Perpetrators of violence, breakers of property, disruptors of public orderliness, instigators of any form of abuse and those exposing the public to health hazards of any form will be arrested and prosecuted.

The police is currently clamping down on operators of shebeens and all prohibited alcohol outlets.

The exercise involves confiscation of all items associated with the commission of the offence, arresting of the operator and patrons gathered therein.

Unsanctioned social gatherings and parties against the current prohibitive conditions should cease and the public is called upon to co-operate.

In previous instalments of this column, we gave contact numbers for Officers in Charge and Officers Commanding Districts, but these were overtaken by events as police promotions and transfer exercises ushered in new commanders in nearly all levels of command.

For Mutare Central District, names of commanders and their contact numbers are now as follows: ZRP Mutare Central, Chief Inspector Karidza(0772 893 695), ZRP Dangamvura, Chief Inspector Kakohwa (0772 911 632), ZRP Sakubva, Chief Inspector Chatikobo (0772 549 755), ZRP Chikanga, Inspector Mbuwa (0772 603 457) and the Officer Commanding Mutare Central (Dispol), Chief Superintendent Mutadza (0773 496 352).

We reiterate once again that if there is no response from the station concerned, phone the Officer in Charge and at the same time phone the Officer Commanding District and the Provincial Headquarters on 02020-63813 or 02020-66637 during business hours.

◆ For further information, you can get in touch with the Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer (PCRLO), Inspector Chananda on 0778 408 895.

◆ Covid is real- let us all stand in line and stop the scourge.

◆ ZRP Manicaland Press and Public Relations