Zimbabweans ignore calls to violence, remains peaceful

POLICE said yesterday that the situation in Zimbabwe remained calm in the wake of the harmonised elections last week, with officers now deployed in various areas to ensure peace prevails.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the police would not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law.

"The situation remains calm and it is quiet countrywide.

"We will, however, remain firm on the ground to ensure that peace continues to prevail countrywide," she said.

"We will not hesitate to arrest any offenders without fear or favour."

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said: "We also urge Zimbabweans not to be dragged into the option of mass protest.

"Zimbabweans are law abiding citizens and should reject this unlawful action."

Over the weekend, police warned politicians to desist from inciting lawlessness intended to cause chaos while the media was urged to report objectively.

In a statement, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba commended the people for taking heed of peace messages.

"We want to warn politicians that are considering this option of inciting Zimbabweans into mass protest that it is not good for the country. Politicians should not blame the police when they find themselves on the wrong side of the law," she said.

Analysts recently said the law should take its course on losing MDC-T politicians who were threatening to incite violence with the aim of rendering the country ungovernable.

MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora who lost Nyanga North constituency to Hurbert Nyanhongo, this week said his party could take to the streets challenging President Mugabe and Zanu-PF's crushing victory in the harmonised elections.

The party's treasurer, Mr Roy Bennett, wrote on his Facebook wall urging people to reject the outcome and launch an intense programme of civil disobedience.