Zimbabwe Police install CCTV cameras, drones, ahead of NERA demonstration

Police in Zimbabwe have moved to frantically install Closed Circuit Television, (CCTV), cameras along the capital city, Harare's major roads, ahead of a demonstration by opposition parties grouped under the National Electoral Reforms Agenda, (NERA).

A Zimbabwe Republic Police officer who spoke to APP News on condition of anonymity, revealed that the move was intended to ensure that there was documentary evidence to apprehend culprits during and after the demonstration.

"Following the recent release of two suspects Cosmas Chakona and Itai Marowero, who had been arrested in September last year for participating in another NERA demonstration, over lack of evidence, the bosses realized that this time around, there was need to take pictures of the demonstrators and culprits.

This time around, we are well prepared and we will make sure we get convictions. In this age of technology, CCTV cameras have been proven to be very effective and we will be making full use of them. No resources have been spared this time around."

A local Harare resident, Tichaona Mtisi, confirmed that he witnessed some ZRP technicians activating one of CCTV cameras at the intersection of Julius Nyerere Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, on Monday afternoon.



"To be honest with you I thought those cameras didn't work, but I saw some Police officers doing touch ups on that camera yemuna Nyerere. Even in other streets kudowntown, I saw them putting up cameras and they are doing so during late hours, when people have gone home and are few in the street…haa this time pakaipa, ini ndogara zvangu kuden (it will be rough going this time around, I will stay at home).



Unconfirmed reports also indicated that the ZRP had requested funds from Treasury to hire drones for use on Wednesday, 22 March 2017. Leaked internal Police correspondence revealed that the Force had managed to procure funds to hire over 15 drones to use in the Operation dubbed "Ziso reGondo".

Zimbabwe National Police Spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity CHARAMBA, could not be reached for comment.

Drones have proved useful in gathering information, especially pictorial, in more developed countries such as the United States of America and even Zimbabwe's neighbor, South Africa. Previous attempts by the Zimbabwean Police to use human manpower to thwart unending demonstrations in that country have proved futile, often resulting in violent clashes as protestors fought back. This time around, the Police could be a step ahead, as well as safer.