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Writes Elvis Dumba
Chinhoyi – With fireworks and firecrackers lighting characterizing New Year celebrations, police have reiterated the need to use these with caution.
Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the lighting of firecrackers and fireworks without police clearance is illegal.
Addressing the media during a media engagement recently, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said most people are not aware of laws that require them to get police clearance for fireworks and firecrackers.
“We have noted the increased use of firecrackers and fireworks during the festive season and the public should be advised that it is illegal to light these in public places without a police clearance. One only needs to advise and inform the police if they would want to use firecrackers and fireworks and this is done for the safety of the public,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi comments follow reports of children being harmed by firecrackers and calls by some sections of the public who have called upon authorities to control the use of firecrackers and fireworks especially in public places.
Animal rights activists have also called for the control of fireworks use as they are reported to contribute to animal stress and anxiety.
Firecrackers and fireworks are easily accessible in public places with young children usually using these unmonitored, exposing them to danger.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the police will be in full force to ensure the safety of the public during the New Year holiday and urged the public to celebrate the holidays responsibly.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the police force is concerned with issues of minors taking alcohol following a viral video of children openly drinking beer over the festive season and warned business people who sell alcohol to people under the age of eighteen.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the police force now has a fully-fledged Cyber crime laboratory that assisted in the arrest of a business person accused of selling alcohol to minors.
“We now have a fully-fledged equipped Cyber laboratory that we are now using to tackle Cyber crimes such as online harassment and other cyber crimes. It was this department that helped the police identify the minors captured on a viral video taking alcohol and also resulted in the arrest of one businessman accused of selling alcohol to minors,” he said.