ZRP dismisses 'voting ban' reports

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has dismissed reports in some local media that members of the force were not likely to vote during next year's elections as factually incorrect and false. The force said logistical arrangements have always been made to enable police officers to vote where they are deployed on duty so that they are not disenfranchised

The reports allege that ZRP had temporarily banned all police officers from registering to vote during the elections. It was further reported that the ZRP "chief officer in charge of operations" - Senior Assistant Commissioner Douglas Nyakutsikwa had recently informed all police officers through a memorandum that they were not allowed to register as voters until further notice. However, in a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, urged members of the public to ignore the article.

"Police officers and members of the public are advised to ignore the article as it is factually incorrect and false. In fact, the correct position is that logistical arrangements are being made to enable police officers to vote where they will be deployed on duty so that they are not disenfranchised. Let it be known that police officers will always vote. Claims by Daily News that they will not do so are just wishful thinking," he said. He urged journalists to be professional when gathering news and to inform the nation correctly.

"May it also be known that Senior Assistant Commissioner Douglas Nyakutsikwa is Officer Commanding Police, Mashonaland East Province and not the Chief Staff Officer, Operations at Police General Headquarters as mentioned in the article. Journalists are once again urged to be professional in sourcing news and correctly informing the nation rather than peddling falsehoods, which cause alarm and despondency," Chief Supt Nyathi said.He said the ZRP assures the nation that it remains guided by provisions of the country's Constitution in the maintenance of law and order.