The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have banned the use of hand-held spikes by traffic officers to stop vehicles believed to be breaking road regulations.
The two-metre-long iron bars with spikes are used to to deflate vehicle tyres. These have been blamed for causing road accidents .
In a statement, ZRP assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi said police officers who defy the ban will be arrested and face both criminal and stern disciplinary action. “Any police officer who will defy this directive will be arrested and face both criminal and stern disciplinary action. No police officer will be allowed to move around while openly holding or carrying spikes under the guise of traffic enforcements,” read the police statement.
The use of the spikes has over the years attracted criticism from motorists and civil society who felt there were better ways for policing traffic.