Power without reform a dangerous proposition

HARARE City Council’s push to grant its municipal police arrest powers is a proposal that deserves careful scrutiny, not emotional approval.

While there is little doubt that the capital needs stronger enforcement of its by-laws, expanding the powers of an institution that is itself struggling with issues of professionalism, capacity and public confidence risks creating a bigger problem than the one it seeks to solve.

The argument in favour of granting municipal police arrest powers is not without merit.

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