The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Nick Mangwana revealed that five members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have tested positive for Covid-19.
According to Mangwana,two Zimbabweans in Namibia have also tested positive to Covid-19.
“2 Zimbabweans in Namibia have tested positive to Covid19Zim. Back home, 5 members of @Police Zimbabwe have tested positive as well.
“This shows how the Police are part of the frontline staff vulnerably exposed to risk as they go about their law and order jobs,” he said.
According to the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Mining Sector and Communities Situational Report (2nd series), police and military personnel were observed in mining communities to be enforcing the laws without putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) themselves, thereby exposing themselves and those they arrest (the public) to COVID-19.
“Police officers were reported to have patrolled some mining areas encouraging people and motorists to avoid non-essential movement, except those with letters as essential service providers.
“In some cases, police ordered closure of ASM mine sites, gold hummer-mills and even arrested some artisanal miners in Bubi for defying the lockdown.
” In some parts of Shurugwi District the army was reported to have been involved in enforcing measures to stop unnecessary movements by the miners and citizens.
“As a result, there was minimal movement in the district at that time. However, police and military personnel were observed in mining communities to be enforcing the laws without putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) themselves, thereby exposing themselves and those they arrest (the public) to COVID-19.
” The world over, frontline actors like police and health workers have been lost to the deadly coronavirus.
“In Zimbabwe this demonstrates lack of Government’s capacity in protecting the people against the pandemic through provision of preventive measures to law enforcements agents who risk spreading the disease to the public,” read the report.
As at 29 June 2020, Zimbabwe had 574 confirmed cases, including 152 recoveries and seven (7) deaths.
