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He said he was confident that the police were as always, prepared to ensure peace and tranquility, before, during and after elections.
He said pre-meditated political violence, anarchy and political grandstanding, calculated at discrediting the elections should be expeditiously investigated and the culprits should be brought to court for prosecution.
AG Tomana said allegations that the police were partisan in dealing with violence were unfounded.
“Police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri has been vilified and demonised and accused of failing to take necessary action on those that should be prosecuted. The police have also been accused of selective application of the law,” said AG Tomana.
He said Zimbabweans should appreciate the important role police played to maintain peace when anarchy almost took over in 2008.
“We managed to regain the peace that we are enjoying up to today because of the actions of the police force. Our police force observes and upholds human rights contrary to unsubstantiated and vexatious allegations of selective application of law and abuse of human rights,” AG Tomana.
He said it was ironic that such irresponsible utterances came from the same imperialists who, with impunity abused the rights of black people during the colonial era. He applauded the inclusion of a prosecutor’s course in the recruits’ training curriculum, saying it would reduce the number of cases that were thrown out by the courts.
“In an endeavour to provide opportune justice to the people, it is also exceedingly important for us to clear the backlog of cases pending in the courts. I am thus gratified to note that Zimbabwe Republic Police is augmenting efforts by the prosecution and the judiciary to clear cases by offering a prosecutor’s course at the ZRP Staff College,” said AG Tomana.
He said his office was concerned about the granting of bail to perpetrators of serious crimes, with the perpetrators often committing more crimes after getting bail.
“In this regard let me urge the police to ensure that sufficient evidence is availed in order for the judiciary to deny them bail,” said the Attorney General.
He reminded graduands that discipline was the cornerstone of police work as well as the bedrock of success.
“The society rightly expects police officers to be vanguards of integrity, professionalism and diligence. It is thus, prudent for you to be the shining beacons of morality and uprightness as this has a bearing on your career growth,” said AG Tomana.
Among those who attended the event were Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, the Governor and Resident Minister of Matabeleland North, Thokozile Mathuthu, senior police officers, who included Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai, the officer commanding Bulawayo, Snr Asst Comm Stephen Mutamba and traditional leaders.
Online Reporter