Police set up committee, develop electoral manual

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has set up a committee and developed a manual to guide its members during, before and after harmonised elections.

The country goes for harmonised elections later this year.

Addressing journalists attending a workshop on election reporting in Harare yesterday, ZRP spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said they were preparing for the elections.

“The Commissioner-General of Police, Cde Godwin Matanga, has set the tone for elections and has appointed a commander elections, Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza alongside an elections committee based at Police General Headquarters.

“The elections committee plans and gives guidance to all provincial commanders on all election matters and it also co-ordinates with other critical stakeholders in the electoral processes. The pre-electoral phase is important to police as failure to properly handle them could affect the entire process.

“From experience a lot of clashes occur between opposing political actors. We are hopeful that in the new dispensation this is not going to be the case,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the ZRP trains all police officers on the Electoral Act and other relevant statutes to maintain law and order.

“We will also ensure people campaign freely and peacefully during the run up to the elections, protect life and property without fear or favour and this relates to all Zimbabweans irrespective of their gender, colour, political party, media organisation or any other background among other things.

“The police officers constituting the special police units established in terms of subsection(1) shall investigate as expeditiously as possible all cases of politically-motivated violence and intimidation brought to our attention.

“It is therefore critical that stakeholders in the election process should understand the role of the police and co-operate to ensure the rule of law is observed at all times.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba urged the media to be responsible when reporting on elections and avoid perpetrating hate language.

Asst Comm Charamba dismissed claims that police were pretending to investigate the disappearance of activist Itai Dzamara.

“Police have never rested in conducting search for Dzamara. The police have followed so many leads so that they could come to a conclusion as to what happened to Dzamara.

“Police have also been doing undercover investigations, but have not been conclusive in our investigations. We are doing our best and not trying to cover up,” she said.

Chairman the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Advocate Fortune Chasi said journalists had an important role during the elections and had an influence on how the process can be free and fair.

“Journalists are also key in promoting peace. The tone of an article can build or destroy peace.

“We are happy with the preparedness of the police for the 2018 elections. Police have trained 24 000 people and have produced a manual for their officers. The booklet has SADC and African Union guidelines. It is heartening that so much work has been done,” he said.

Cde Chasi said he was going to preach peace during elections through music.