Police Support Unit ready for elections

The police is ready to maintain peace and order during and after the country's elections, a senior Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit official has said.

In an interview on the side-lines of a farewell party for retiring Assistant Commissioner Obert Benge on Wednesday, Officer Commanding Support Unit Senior Assistant Commissioner Mekia Tanyanyiwa said the support unit was ready for the elections.

"We have been preparing for these elections for the past five years and have already put all systems in place so that they are held successfully," he said.

"We have adequate personnel to deal with any situation and adequate resources which include riot vehicles and other relevant equipment."

Snr Asst Comm Tanyanyiwa said members of the support unit had since undergone additional training in preparation for the elections.

"On top of the basic training all support unit members have undergone retraining twice since last year with the latest course having occurred last month. They have been trained to handle public order situations among other things."

Asst Comm Tanyanyiwa said members of the support unit are already at their stations, on standby and strategically positioned in case of the need for them to intervene in any situation.

Asst Comm Tanyanyiwa implored members of the force to show the resilience, passion and commitment to duty that Asst Comm Benge had exhibited during his 37 years of services in the force.

Asst Comm Benge was among the first people to be sent to the Sierra Leone mission where he held the position of senior advisor.