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POLICE Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri has saluted President Mugabe and Zanu-PF for winning resoundingly during the just-ended harmonised elections. He commended the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by officers in ensuring that the country experienced peace, harmony and tranquillity before, during and after the harmonised elections.
“I am also grateful that even the leaders, both the winners and losers were preaching peace during the elections. The nation at large has to be commended for embracing peace.
“The generality of our people have made a stand against disorder, violence and proponents of instability,” Comm Gen Chihuri said.
He was speaking during the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) send-off ceremony in Harare yesterday.
Comm Gen Chihuri expressed concern over some journalists from local and international media who continued to spread lies about alleged threats of violence in the country especially on the Muzarabani case.
“We still have misguided pockets of journalists spreading rumours. It’s wishful thinking which they require to see. I urge those journalists to go and stay in the mountains with baboons and animals and nothing will happen,” he said.
Police recently noted with concern reports which were circulating in the local and international media on the alleged threats of violence on MDC-T supporters in Muzarabani, Mashonaland Central. The allegations were dismissed as false.
Meanwhile, the eighth edition of the SARPCCO games are scheduled for Windhoek, Namibia, from August 16-30 and 195 officers are set to leave the country tomorrow for the games.
In 2011, ZRP won 55 medals, 19 gold, 16 silver and 20 bronze, becoming the regional champions and the games were held in Lubumbashi, DRC.
Comm Gen Chihuri said SARPCCO which comprises 14 member States was started in 1994 in Swaziland during the regional seminar for police executives before being formally established in 1995 in Victoria Falls.
“The existence of SARPCCO has yielded results in bringing law enforcement agencies together, thereby creating a crime-free region through training and exchanging of matters of mutual interest. The spirit of togetherness was born out of the shared fundamental understanding that the region is one,” he said.
He said their interactions had demonstrated that they share the same values and this had proved that the destiny of their nations was one.
“In the same vein, SARPCCO games have now gained deserved regional and international recognition and respect as a result of the professional way in which the games are organised and managed,” Comm Gen Chihuri said.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter