Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police yesterday assured the nation that it will continue maintaining law and order countrywide and will not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law.
This comes after police officers have continued conducting patrols and mounting roadblocks to ensure that peace and sanity prevails.
In an interview, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they wanted to ensure that law and order was maintained as people go about their day-to-day business.
“Police will continue maintaining law and order, not only in Harare but countrywide. We would like to assure that safety is given priority as people also go about their day-to-day businesses and activities,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said they wanted to ensure that no one interfered with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) officials as they conduct their work and also announce results.
“We would also want to ensure that safety is also given priority to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission so that no one interferes with the electoral process up to its conclusion,” he said. “We will not allow any gatherings at polling stations, district command centres, provincial command centres and the national command centre.”
On Thursday, Asst Comm Nyathi applauded the public for being peaceful during this period.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges the public to continue being peaceful as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission finalises the voting and ballot counting process,” he said.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police commends Zimbabweans for the exemplary conduct and peaceful environment which characterised the pre-election and the election period. This should continue during the post-election period. Police will continue to maintain law and order in the country through patrols, blitz and general traffic enforcements.”
Zimbabweans went to vote on Wednesday in a largely peaceful environment.
However, there are concerns about inflammatory statements that are being made by some opposition leaders,.
A subversive attempt by some Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) to illegally announce the results of the 2023 harmonised elections was also thwarted by police who on Wednesday night swooped on some properties in Harare, arrested 41 activists and recovered several communication gadgets.
Among those fingered in the scheme to illegally announce poll results are the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), the shadowy Pachedu group and the Election Resource Centre (ERC).
Under the country’s Electoral Act, no one apart from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) can announce election results.
A raid was conducted on Wednesday night at Holiday Inn Harare, Belgravia, Milton Park and at a property in the Grange area resulting in the arrest of the suspects.
As a result, a total of 93 smartphones, 38 laptops, two (2) smart watches, two (2) modems, one (1) WIFI router, one (1) external hard drive, Nokia feature phone (kambudzi), one (1) printer, 1 X 24 port switch, various computer chargers, power back-up unit and headphones were recovered.
Police said the equipment was being used to unlawfully tabulate election voting statistics and results from polling stations throughout the country.
Online Reporter