HARARE, Zimbabwe — Mayor Jacob Mafume is putting his foot down and ordering the local law enforcement body i.e., Zimbabwe Republic Police to cease and desist their harassment of business owners. In a viral video, ZRP police officers were seen confronting a businesswoman, demanding to see her operating license.
"We have taken note of the video of police officers asking for business licenses in the city center and we are going to write to the Officer Commanding Harare asking him to explain. Police have no role in inspecting business licenses in the city. It’s the duty of municipal police. We believe that this is a duplication of roles that will breed-rent-seeking behavior," said the mayor Jacob Mafume.
But the ZRP national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi begged to differ. "The Harare mayor knows what to do when he has a complaint," Nyathi said. "He should write to the Police Commissioner-General."
Nyathi further defended the police's actions, stating, "In terms of the country's laws, ZRP has a constitutional mandate to enforce all the laws promulgated by Parliament. We have the mandate to enforce laws such as Forestry Act, Ema Act, and council by-laws in the country. So there is nothing sinister about police inspecting if businesses are operating within the confines of the law."
"We have taken note of the video of police officers asking for business licenses in the city center and we are going to write to the Officer Commanding Harare asking him to explain. Police have no role in inspecting business licenses in the city. It’s the duty of municipal police. We believe that this is a duplication of roles that will breed-rent-seeking behavior," said the mayor Jacob Mafume.
But the ZRP national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi begged to differ. "The Harare mayor knows what to do when he has a complaint," Nyathi said. "He should write to the Police Commissioner-General."
Nyathi further defended the police's actions, stating, "In terms of the country's laws, ZRP has a constitutional mandate to enforce all the laws promulgated by Parliament. We have the mandate to enforce laws such as Forestry Act, Ema Act, and council by-laws in the country. So there is nothing sinister about police inspecting if businesses are operating within the confines of the law."
