The Zimbabwe Republic Police has warned the public that the hours between 18:00 hours and 06:00 hours are curfew hours when people should be inside their homes. The police have threatened to impound the vehicles of those who violate the curfew and arrest the drivers and pedestrians caught during this time. They have also said that members of the public will have to plan their activities so as not to be caught on the wrong side of curfew as exceptions will not be entertained.

PRESS STATEMENT
19th JANUARY 2021

ZRP WARNING TO CURFEW ORDER VIOLATORS

The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns members of the public that with effect from today, police officers will be out in full force to ensure compliance with the curfew order put in place by the Government on 2nd January 2021.

The curfew order runs from 1800 hours to 0600 hours the next day. Therefore, movements, whether on foot or motorized are not allowed during this period and anyone found walking or driving will be arrested, with vehicles being impounded.

Those travelling between cities should plan their journeys so that they do not breach the curfew order. On Sunday, 17th January 2021 and Monday, 18th January 2021, there was chaos along Harare — Bulawayo Road, as long queues stretching from the Norton tollgate up to Whitehouse area, Harare were seen. Some motorists were even confrontational to the Police despite the fact that most of them were non-compliant with the curfew order.

Meanwhile, on Monday 18 January 2021, a total of two thousand three hundred and thirty-six [2 336] people were arrested throughout the country for various offences related to contraventions of the National Lockdown regulations. Of these, eight hundred and ninety [890] were for Contravening Section 4(1)(a) of Statutory Instrument 83/20 ‘Unnecessary movement during national lockdown except those exempted; and nine hundred and twenty [920] for failure to wear face masks. This brings the total cumulative arrests to 341 251 since 30th March 2020.

Members of the public are urged to take heed of safety, health and security measures meant to protect lives during this Covid-19 situation.