The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) raises objections to a government proposal to grant arrest powers to municipal police officers, saying the change could increase residents’ exposure to abuse. HRT argues that, given what it describes as the City of Harare’s long-standing record on corruption and inconsistent enforcement, extending arrest authority to city police could lead to misuse.
The proposal is contained in a Municipal Police Bill that Cabinet considers. According to the reporting, Cabinet received the bill last week. While the outlets focus on the residents’ concerns, they also indicate that the government is moving forward with the legislative process tied to strengthening municipal policing.
Overall, both sources report the same central point: HRT is warning against the arrest-power provision, citing fears of improper conduct and uneven enforcement by municipal authorities. The articles do not provide details on specific incidents linked to the proposal, nor do they include a direct response from government or the city on the concerns raised. The matter remains at the policy and legislative discussion stage.
