Zec reports MDC Alliance violence threats to police

I find the threats totally deplorable and in fact diabolical,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police, which also gave a briefing to the meeting, assured stakeholders involved in the election of safety as well as security of voting materials, which the police are charged with protecting.

The ZRP has also trained its staff and engaged stakeholders to ensure peace.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza, who is the ZRP commander for the 2018 elections, told observers that the pre-election environment had largely been peaceful with more incidents of intra- rather than inter-party violence being recorded, especially during party primary elections.

“I would want to make the comment that in most of the intra-party cases that have been reported, the complainants have been coming forward to make withdrawal statements simply because the accused and the complainants belong to the same party,” said Snr Ass Com Makodza.

“Yes, we did receive cases of interparty violence but there are few and most of the accused persons have been accounted for and investigations are ongoing. Some of them have been taken to the courts, some have been convicted and some are likely not to vote because they are now in custody.

“Despite the Bulawayo bomb blast case which is under investigation, the campaign period has been tranquil. May I therefore applaud Zimbabweans for heeding President Mnangagwa’s consistent message of zero tolerance to political violence. This call has enabled the police to perform their duties with renewed focus to ensure a conducive environment for holding the elections is maintained.”

Snr Ass Com Makodza outlined the constitutional duties of the police before, during and after the elections. He said all politically-motivated cases were being investigated impartially.

He also revealed that the judiciary had been equipped to deal with crime in the period, with 75 magistrates, five High Court judges as well as National Prosecuting Authority personnel having been made available.

He said the ZRP would ensure the security of observers, journalists and the general populace.

“May I assure you all that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has made adequate preparations to guarantee the country’s security during these harmonised elections,” said Snr Ass Com Makodza.