Published by the government of Zimbabwe
12 November 2009
Harare — NINETEEN more Harare municipal police officers have been picked up for questioning in connection with Godfrey Tonde's death on Monday following clashes pitting vendors and council personnel.
This brings to 22 the number of municipal police picked up so far in connection with Monday's violence after the three that were picked up on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandi-paka yesterday said their investigations were continuing and they would bring all culprits to book.
Members of the public, he said, would not be spared and everyone involved would be called in to account for his or her part in the death.
"The case must be given due respect and so far 22 municipal officers have been picked up for questioning.
"We are going to carry out thorough investigations to bring to book all those who were involved in this murder.
"Members of the public who incited the violence will not be spared by the law because no one is above the law," he said.
The municipal officers had their statements recorded at Matapi Police Station before being released as investigations continued.
Chief Supt Mandipaka said Tonde's post-mortem results were likely to be released today.
He, however, warned the public to respect municipal police officers, pointing out that they had the authority to enforce by-laws on behalf of Harare City Council.
"All illegal activities must be curbed, but this must be done in a professional manner which does not result in the loss of human life," he said.
He expressed concern at some residents' behaviour saying there was no excuse to act illegally regardless of their grievances with law enforcement agents.
"Such behaviour is not tolerated. It is always best to establish rapport with the public for the development of the nation," said Chief Supt Mandipaka.
Tonde died on Monday while fleeing municipal officers who were carrying out a blitz in Mbare as part of a citywide campaign to rid the streets of touts, vendors and illegal activities.
Police sources have since revealed that Tonde was tripped from behind by an unidentified municipal police officer during the chase.
The sources said Tonde was hit in the genital area and died on the spot.
The implementation of the council action continues to draw widespread condemnation from a wide cross-section of the public.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions' secretary-general Mr Wellington Chibebe said Government must enact legislation to nurture the informal sector.
"The story about the death of an informal trader made sad
reading and measures to foster this sector must be put in place as we move towards the formalisation of the informal economy," Mr Chibebe said.
Other stakeholders called on local authorities to put up more market stalls to enable vendors to trade freely while contributing to council coffers.
Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo on Tuesday said Government had ordered the Harare City Council to allow the vendors in Mbare to trade though fees should be collected from them while the municipality sought alternative vending sites for them.
Council yesterday appeared to have called a halt on the blitz.
No cases of raids on illegal operators by municipal police were reported by late afternoon.
However, both Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi could not be reached to clarify if this was a temporary reprieve or if the blitz had been completely called off.
Unlicensed traders could be seen carrying out their activities in the city centre as well as in Mbare.
Tonde is the second person to die in clashes between informal traders and municipal police in the space of a month.
Mrs Martha Chitambira (70) was killed last month when she was struck by a missile during a demonstration against the proposed re-organisation of city markets.
Last week, municipal police fought running battles with traders at the Fourth Street Bus Terminus.
Riot police had to be called in to beef up the ranks of the council personnel when touts and vendors retaliated.
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