MINISTER of State Security Owen Ncube has warned Members of
Parliament and councillors against issuing travelling exemptions to people
during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
Speaking during the tour of the Gweru Provincial Hospital
Isolation Centre on Saturday, Minister Ncube said only police and District
Development Coordinators have the prerogative to issue travelling documents.
He said security forces who are enforcing the lockdown will
not recognise exemptions issued by MPs and councillors, while security forces
will descend on people who flout the lockdown regulations.
“I would want to warn our Members of Parliament and
Councillors not to issue exemption letters for people to travel during the
lockdown. This is tantamount to flouting the regulations thereof. I’m sorry to
inform you that police will not be recognising those letters at all.
“Police and District Development Coordinators are the only
ones that can issue exemptions. People have to be serious about this disease.
This disease is real. If you look and observe what’s happening in other
countries, they have more than 500 while some have more than 1 000 people dying
every day. If we do not take it seriously, we might plunge into the same
predicament. Let us all comply with the lockdown directive,” he said.
Minister Ncube said Midlands Province was one of the
provinces that is making significant strides in the preparation for the fight
against the Covid-19 in case of an outbreak.
He said Government was grateful to the corporate world for
complementing efforts to fight Covid-19.
“We are grateful to our corporate world and other
well-wishers who have come forth to join hands with Government in fighting the
coronavirus pandemic.
“President Mnangagwa has reiterated over and over that it
is the thought that counts. No matter how small the donation is it will come in
handy,” he said.
Minister Ncube said Government was also impressed by
Midlands Joint Operation Command (JOC) for diligently enforcing the lockdown.
“My acquaintances in cabinet and other colleagues have
always joked with us that it is easier to drive into Harare than it is to pass
through Midlands Province because our police are strict.
“This is a clear testimony to show that our security system
in the province are watertight. “We implore you to maintain your levels of
diligence in enforcing the lockdown so that we save citizens from this
pandemic,” he said.
Minister Ncube said even those in the rural areas were at
risk considering that some people travelled to their rural areas when the
lockdown was announced. He implored citizens to be disciplined during the
lockdown.
Minister Ncube said Police will crack down on shebeens and
backyard kitchens. Chronicle
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