Harare Municipal Officer Suspended After Slapping Woman Inside Banking Hall In Mbare

The City of Harare has suspended a municipal police officer who was caught on camera slapping a woman inside a banking hall in Mbare.

The incident, which quickly went viral on social media, showed the off-duty officer involved in a heated argument with the woman before he struck her. The footage sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for action against the officer.

Also Read: City Of Harare Apologises After Municipal Cop Slaps Woman At Council Offices

Officer Suspended Pending Hearing

City of Harare Corporate Communications Manager Stanley Gama confirmed that the officer has been suspended while the local authority conducts disciplinary proceedings.

“What he did was unacceptable, and he has been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. It’s not council policy to engage in violence, more so beating up a woman like that. The officer should have restrained himself,” Gama said.

Also Read: Outrage After City Of Harare Parking Marshalls Clamp Woman Helping Sick Son During Medical Emergency [WATCH]

Council Distances Itself From Officer’s Conduct

Gama said the officer’s actions were contrary to the values of the City of Harare and should not be viewed as representative of the local authority.

“The City of Harare has in excess of 10,000 employees, and the violent conduct of the suspended officer does not in any way represent what the City stands for,” he said.

He added that details of the disciplinary hearing will be shared with the public once they are available.

Social Media Reacts

The suspension has drawn mixed reactions on social media. While many welcomed the City of Harare’s decision, some argued that suspension alone was not enough and called for the officer to be dismissed. Others questioned whether action would have been taken if the incident had not been captured on video, expressing concern about possible unrecorded cases of misconduct.

Here are some of the comments:

@Ellen Gibson;

Saka bhoo zvekuti….. and also please, tell him not to come for the cameraman! We be watching closely

@Jackson Muzivi;

Hopefully the suspension is grounded in a specific breach of an existing offence in the Code of Conduct rather than an emotional PR stunt which could become a hefty expense fir ratepayers if successfully defended.

Most employers lose emotionally premised charges against their employees

@Baba Ary and Andy;

I just wonder kuti dai video risipo maiita sei,and zvingani zvirikuitwa ne team renyu zvisiri ku recodwa