Zimbabwe police issue bizarre threat on social media

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned individuals and groups against what it called cyberbullying of government officials who will be performing their official duties.

In a post on its official Twitter page on Monday evening, ZRP singled out Harare Provincial District Coordinator Tafadzwa Muguti and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana as victims of cyberbullying.

Police said they are aware of those who are harassing the government officials on social media sites and the suspects know that their arrest is imminent.

The posts read as below:

1/2 The ZRP warns individuals and groups from committing crime through cyber-bullying of Government officials who will be performing their Constitutional and lawful obligations in terms of service delivery to Zimbabweans.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) December 7, 2020

2/2 The Police is aware that a certain group of suspects who know that their arrest is imminent is fingered and issuing threats and harassing some officials @tmuguti @nickmangwana

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) December 7, 2020

Responding to the tweet by the police, MDC Alliance (MDC-A) national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere reminded the ZRP that the Constitution of Zimbabwe gives citizens the right to challenge the government and that police have a constitutional duty to uphold and enforce the law.

Section 67 (1) (d) says every Zimbabwean citizen has the right "to participate, individually or collectively, in gatherings or groups or in any other manner, in peaceful activities to influence, challenge or support the policies of the Government or any political or whatever cause".

In terms of Section 219 (1) (e) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the police service and its functions include "upholding this Constitution and enforcing the same law without fear or favour".