(TALKZIMBABWE) Municipal police officer beats vendor to death

Municipal police officer beats vendor to death
TH/TZG
Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:59:00 +0000

A MUNICIPAL police officer beat a vendor to death yesterday who was trying to flee from an open space site they were trading from illegally.

Police also arrested three municipal police officers and eight other people on allegations of inciting violence in Mbare that led to the death of a vendor, Godfrey Tonde (23).

While police are investigating both the violence and the death, the Government yesterday ordered Harare City Council to allow vendors in Mbare to trade, but said the council should collect fees while seeking alternative vending sites.

According to police sources, Tonde — who was among the vendors fleeing from the municipal police — was tripped from behind by an unidentified municipal officer during the chase.

"As the (now) deceased was staggering, he was kicked in his genitals and he nose dived to the ground and died on the spot," said the police source to state media.

"When the other vendors saw that ... Tonde had died as a result of the assault from the municipal police, they started retaliating causing the municipal police to flee leaving the deceased’s body behind in the hands of the rioting mob."

According to the Herald newspaper, the vendors then conveyed Tonde’s body in a pushcart to the City of Harare building section, Nenyere Yard, opposite Agrifoods where they dumped it in protest.

Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo yesterday visited Mbare to get first-hand information on what transpired on Monday and later met representatives of vendors trading at an open space near Chishawasha flats.

"Do not chase them (vendors) away. You should consider collecting money from them (through rates) while looking for alternative vending spaces.

"They are quite compliant and willing to work with council. Let them sell their wares while you discuss the matter with Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda," Chombo said yesterday.

Harare Town Clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi attended the meeting during which the vendors pleaded with Chombo for Government intervention.

The vendors said they were aware that their activities were illegal, but said an arrangement could be made for them to pay rates.

They said council could generate income through such an arrangement and accused municipal police of demanding bribes whenever they arrested them.

The vendors said council could consider giving them hawkers’ licences.

It was business as usual at the market places yesterday as the vendors sold their wares as calm returned to Mbare.

The municipal police officers arrested are Clifford Sabumba, an inspector, and sergeants Lazarus Mutema and Bibian Gangawodza.

Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka yesterday said investigations were in progress and they wanted to bring to book all the culprits involved in the violence.

He said whoever caused the death of Tonde would be brought to book.

"We are going to have a thorough and full-scale investigation into that murder and the violence which was caused by some rowdy elements," he said.

Chief Supt Mandipaka said as law enforcement agents, they had a duty to ensure that there was law and order.

"But, whenever we carry out our operations, we ensure that such operations would not degenerate into unnecessary deaths. We have always wanted to create a good relationship with members of the public, which we police, and it’s not in our interest to cause suffering amongst them," he said.

Police Deputy Commissioner-General Levy Sibanda yesterday said the incident was disturbing and that police would get to the bottom of the matter.

He expressed concern over the behaviour of the Mbare residents, saying the force did not expect that kind of behaviour.

City spokesman Mr Leslie Gwindi yesterday said council would continue its clampdown on illegal vending in the city.

"We will hold our ground. We want to enforce our by-laws," he said.

Mr Gwindi conveyed council’s condolences to the bereaved family, adding that the incident was unfortunate.

"We are still to establish exactly what happened," he said.

Harare Residents’ Trust spokesman Mr Bright Chibvuri said municipal police should not be heavy-handed when dealing with traders trying to eke a living.

Meanwhile, Minister Chombo has indicated that Harare City Council would provide assistance towards Tonde’s burial.

"Council will buy a coffin and food related to the burial of the person who died yesterday (Monday)," he said.

Early last month, a Mupedzanhamo stallholder, Mrs Martha Chitambira (70), was killed after being hit by a missile during a demonstration against the proposed re-organisation of Mupedzanhamo.