'Police ready for polls'

police are ready for the forthcoming harmonised elections and would ensure a peaceful and crime free poll after transforming under the new dispensation, Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba has said.

Addressing a media workshop in Gweru on Tuesday, Snr Asst Comm Charamba said police are geared for the upcoming election.

"Police have a pivotal role to play during elections. I feel it is very critical to talk about this role as we approach the harmonised elections.

"We have put in place measures to ensure that we reduce elections related crimes. His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has consistently appealed to the citizens of Zimbabwe to maintain peace and respect for opposing views," she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the media has a role to play in ensuring that the elections are peaceful and the public was safe.

"It is a fact that, the media plays a vital role in informing, educating and entertaining the public before, during and after elections. Information dissemination is therefore key to a peaceful election process. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and media inevitably need to work together in this regard.

"The relationship between the police and the media is like that of fish and water, we cannot do without each other. The ZRP is a source of important information more so as it relates to the security of the country. Our police stations across the country receive information from reports as they occur.

"While this information might be of interest to the media we also have an obligation to inform the public with a view to enhance security in the country.

"We also have a duty to provide crime trends and conduct awareness campaigns to the public and inform them of what is going on in their communities," she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the media should report responsibly, objectively and accurately and avoid sensationalising stories, which caused alarm and despondence.

"We therefore expect the media to assist the ZRP to spread messages of peace while they conduct awareness campaigns against political violence, hate speech and peddling of falsehoods.

"We are calling for responsible journalism as experience has shown that subjective stories tend to distort facts and polarise communities along political lines.

"Journalists covering demonstrations, public disorder situations can contact ground commanders at respective places of occurrences where they face challenges in discharging their duties," she said.