POLICE are investigating the parading of juvenile suspects by officers in Murambinda recently.
In the video, plain clothes policemen and another in uniform using a Mahindra pick-up truck, paraded two juveniles who allegedly committed a number of housebreaking cases in their neighbourhood.
The juveniles were paraded at a business centre, where they were forced to publicly admit having stolen various goods, including electronic gadgets.
“We have seen that video footage and we are investigating that,” national police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi told NewsDay.
Beitbridge criminal and human rights lawyer Jabulani Mzinyathi of Garikayi and Company deplored the behaviour of the police.
“From the video, one [can see that] the two are apparently juveniles alleged to have committed acts of unlawful entry into residences,” said Mzinyathi, a former magistrate of long service.
“One does not condone what are apparently criminal acts, but to parade the juveniles in this way with a mob in tow violates the dictates of the laws of this country insofar as they pertain to handling juvenile accused persons,” he said.
Taking and publishing pictures of juvenile offenders is an offence under the Child Protection and Adoption Act.
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