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President Mnangagwa has been calling for observance of peace before, during and after the August 23 elections. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which has the mandate to maintain peace and order, has since set up its National Elections Committee to spearhead and coordinate police deployments and resource mobilisation for the polls. The Sunday Mail’s EMMANUEL KAFE (EK) spoke to Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister KAZEMBE KAZEMBE (KK) on preparations for the polls.
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EK: How satisfied are you with the prevailing security situation in the country ahead of the elections?
KK: My ministry is satisfied with the current peaceful and calm situation prevailing in the country.
As evidenced by the Nomination Court sittings on June 21, the country is ready to hold the pending general elections in a credible, peaceful, free and fair environment.
EK: What measures is the Government putting in place to ensure we have peaceful elections in August?
KK: The Government has mobilised the necessary resources to ensure the general elections are held in a conducive environment.
This includes provision of resources to key stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other arms of the State.
Remember, ZEC is co-ordinating all the electoral processes, in line with the country’s Constitutional provisions.
EK: Does the Zimbabwe Republic Police have enough manpower and equipment to deal with incidences of election-related violence?
KK: Indeed, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has enough manpower to maintain law and order at the 12 000-plus polling stations set up by ZEC for the general elections.
Aside from the elections, we will also ensure day-to-day duties at police stations continue as usual.
With regards to public order training, more than 80 percent of police officers have been duly trained as the ZRP readies for general elections.
Above all, special investigation teams have been set up in all provinces to deal with reports of political violence, as required under the Electoral Act.
The ZRP has seconded special officers to multi-party liaison committees at national level and all provinces, which are being coordinated by ZEC for the purpose of promoting peace before, during and after the elections.
In terms of equipment, the Government is in the process of acquiring vehicles, fuel, information and communication technology (ICT) gadgets and related material for use by the ZRP during the election. This includes uniforms and stationery.
EK: This will be the first time general elections are being held following enactment of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA). Are you satisfied that this law will help guarantee peaceful campaigns?
KK: My ministry is generally satisfied with the provisions of MOPA, as it relates to security during public gatherings and rallies for the pending elections.
The media should take note that elections are also policed through provisions of the Electoral Act since the proclamation of the elections by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, on May 31, 2023.
The Constitution also outlines the responsibilities of the police in maintaining law and order, aided by the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
All these laws certainly make it possible to have credible, peaceful, free and fair elections, with the ZRP playing its key security role.
EK: The Government recently unveiled police helicopters acquired from Russia to aid law enforcement. When will these helicopters be deployed and will they be used to monitor incidences of violence during the election period?
KK: It has always been our wish to have helicopters for effective policing and I am glad we finally have them.
However, we have administrative, logistical and technical processes we have to undertake before they are fully operationalised.
EK: Are we likely to see the establishment of a security taskforce to oversee public security during the polls? If so, who will constitute the security taskforce?
KK: The Commissioner-General of Police has set up a ZRP National Elections Committee to spearhead and coordinate police deployments and resource mobilisation as we gear up for the general elections.
The committee is working closely with ZEC and other stakeholders to ensure peace prevails before, during and after the elections.
EK: Some politicians are known for using inflammatory rhetoric during campaign rallies, which, in some cases, leads to violence. What is your message to them?
KK: The law will take its course without fear or favour on any individual or groups using hate speech to incite violence, intimidation or threats to Zimbabweans.
The police will arrest anyone regardless of their political stature or standing.
I also urge political parties and their leaders to preach the gospel of peace during the campaign period, voting day and after the elections.
This will help to maintain the existing peaceful environment, which is a prerequisite for the holding of credible, peaceful, free and fair general elections on August 23.
Twitter: @emmanuel_kafe
Online Reporter