By Ziyah News Network
THE Municipality of Beitbridge is preparing to raise the bar for recruiting municipal officers as it gears up for sweeping new law enforcement powers under the proposed Municipal Police and Courts Bill, 2026.
Addressing Monday’s full council meeting, Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola said the municipality could no longer afford to recruit officers without the qualifications needed to carry out policing duties.
Ramakgapola said the new responsibilities demand a more qualified and professional workforce.
“If the Zimbabwe Republic Police requires at least five Ordinary Level passes for recruitment, we should also be looking at similar standards. Officers need to be educated to perform these duties effectively,” he said.
He said the municipality would also retrain existing municipal officers to prepare them for the transition.
“Our current officers will need further training so they can write dockets, prepare case files, compile reports and translate where necessary so they can effectively discharge their duties,” Ramakgapola said.
The proposed legislation will allow local authorities to establish municipal police services and dedicated municipal courts with powers to arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders who breach council by-laws and traffic regulations.
Currently, municipal officers in Beitbridge are primarily responsible for enforcing council by-laws, controlling illegal vending, monitoring parking, issuing tickets, inspecting business licences, safeguarding council property and maintaining public order.
However, their enforcement powers are limited, with most criminal matters requiring the intervention of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
If enacted, the Municipal Police and Courts Bill will significantly expand the role of municipal officers, giving them authority to investigate by-law offences, make arrests and prosecute cases in municipal courts.
The proposed changes are expected to place greater emphasis on professionalism, legal knowledge and administrative skills within local authority enforcement units.
Ramakgapola said raising recruitment standards and upgrading the skills of serving officers would ensure the municipality is ready to effectively exercise its new mandate once the legislation comes into force.