Zimbabwe’s Ruthless Police, Soldiers To Enforce Covid-19 Lockdown

ZIMBABWE’S acting president, Kembo Mohadi, says the country’s state security agents will enforce strict Covid-19 regulations introduced Saturday following the death of 29 people in the past week and 1,342 new infections.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s security forces have been known for using brutal means in enforcing lockdown restrictions.

When a similar lockdown was instituted early last year, reports of human rights violations at the hands of state agents rose.

In Zimbabwe people including journalists were arrested, beaten up, harassed and others detained without trial for allegedly violating the regulations.

Some members of the security forces we’re demanding bribes in exchange of being released or for one to be given the go ahead to travel.

Apparently, Mohadi told reporters in Harare on Sunday that there was general laxity and carelessness among local people in following Covid-19 regulations as stipulated by the World Health Organisation.

He said, “It is worrisome that our people and communities in general do not take the wearing of masks seriously. We therefore urge all leaders to take an active role in enforcing the proper wearing of masks. The virus needs to be fought by us all.

“Furthermore, the presentation of unauthentic Covid-19 free certificates by some of our citizens has exposed many unassuming people to the disease. Such dishonesty is criminal and detrimental to the very fabric of society and far removed from Ubuntu.

This has contributed to the surge in the infections we are talking about. Our security agencies, health officials and educational institutions hence will continue to enforce stricter standard operation procedures to ensure the safety of all our citizens. They will strictly enforce adherence to the regulations within the stipulated times.

He said the only way to win against Covid-19 is to prevent the spread of the disease.

“We are our own saviours and it’s our behavioural change that will take us out of this danger. It is important that there be a major paradigm shift on behavior. Let those that are infected now be the last as we altogether strive that no one else shall be infected.”

He appealed to Zimbabweans to follow WHO-prescribed Covid-19 regulations.

“I appeal to you fellow Zimbabweans that while scientists all over the world are working on a vaccine, it remains imperative that you and I follow the regulations as stipulated. The complicated nature of the virus, its mutation remains worrisome for all of us hence the mandatory compliance to the measures we are putting in place as government.

“We exhort governance structures to provide and enforce measures that will curtail crowding and congestion are watering points, bus termini, grinding mills, supermarkets and shopping complexes.”

He urged religious organisations traditional leaders, business and corporate, civic leadership and individuals to take the fight against the Covid-19 scourge “as our own fight”.

The health ministry recorded 774 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday and three deaths. -VOA/ Zwnews