The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has assured the nation that the forthcoming harmonized elections will be free of violence with suspects of politically motivated violence under investigation.
Addressing the media in Harare on the ZRP’s preparedness for the harmonized elections today, Commissioner General of Police Godwin Matanga assured the nation that they had put in place necessary measures to ensure polls take place in a peaceful environment.
“Let me acknowledge that there were isolated incidences of both intra party and inter party politically motivated violence that were reported to the police, some of these cases involve the defacing, destruction and super imposition of political campaign posters,
“I would like to highlight that most of these cases have been investigated and the perpetrators brought to book while a few are still pending at the courts,
“Of note also is the unfortunate and regrettable bombing incident that took place on the 18th of June 2018 during a ZANU PF rally at the White City stadium in Bulawayo. Some of the suspects have been arrested and the case is still under investigation,” said Matanga.
“The Electoral Act provides that police officers shall not interfere with the electoral processes, as such our police officers deployed at polling stations shall exercise their duties under the direction and instruction of the presiding officer,
“To set the record straight regarding the postal vote of police officers which has received some mixed reactions as regards its legality and constitutionality. The postal ballot is provided for by the electoral act and the correct position is police officers given that their nature of duties will naturally be deployed far away from their respective polling stations ,
“However this does not mean that they should be denied the right to vote but rather the electoral act allows members of the disciplined force to vote through the postal ballot ” added Matanga.
