Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe National Organization of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) called on for professional, lawfully and humanely execution of municipal by laws.
This follows a shocking incident where a motorist vehicle was clamped while she was attempting to give emergency services to a sick child.The incident which was condemned and caused shockwaves on the social media, occurred in Harare.
Said Shalvar Chikomba, the national chairman for ZNOART:
“The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) has taken note of the City of Harare’s statement regarding the unfortunate incident in which a motorist’s vehicle was clamped while she was attempting to rush her sick baby to a health facility.
“We welcome the City of Harare’s public apology and its commitment to investigate the matter and take appropriate action. However, this incident has exposed wider concerns about the conduct of some parking marshals and municipal police officers during the course of their duties.”
“As an organisation mandated to safeguard the interests of residents and ratepayers, ZNOART believes that enforcement of municipal by-laws must always be carried out professionally, lawfully, humanely and with respect for human dignity.”
Chikomba added that parking marshals and municipal police must undergo customer care training and called on for the respect of residents dignity when enforcing by laws.
“ZNOART maintains that emergency situations involving illness, accidents or threats to life must always take precedence over enforcement actions.
Parking marshals and municipal police should receive continuous training in customer care, conflict resolution, ethics and human rights.
“Municipal enforcement should focus on compliance and public service rather than punishment.
Every resident deserves to be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect regardless of the circumstances,” he said.