Police assures peace for tomorrow

The Zimbabwe Republic police assured its preparedness for the election day tomorrow and the preceding period.


Commissioner General of the police Godwin Matanga issued a statement today which reads, " As the country heads goes the anticipated harmonized elections tomorrow 23rd August 2023, the Zimbabwe Republic police reitarates that the security environment is indeed peaceful for the nation to hold free, fair, peaceful and credible elections.

My office has deployed appropriate levels of police officers at all polling stations collation constituency, provincial and national command centers to ensure that effective law and order is maintained during the voting process and thereafter. 

However the Zimbabwe Republic police is concerned with political leaders that they will accept election results which are not in their favour and at  the same time calling upon voters to gather at polling stations naftet casting their votes in what they call defend your vote through REP (Register, Elect and Protect)".

He said," As if that is not enough we have noted that purported civic organisations such as Team Pachedi and others are sending messages on social media platforms moblising the public to gather within the 30 metres radius at polling stations while waiting for  election results.

May I therefore remind Zimbabweans and visitors that the country law enforcement agents are mandated to protect the internal security of the country with out any form of hesitation or compromise. Above all  the public should take note that the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 is not the only piece of legislation that regulate public gatherings, we have also the Mantainance of Order and Peace Act Chapter 11;23 which clearly stipulates that among other public gatherings must be duly notified and subsequently sanctioned by the relevant regulating authority ".

He added that," ln the regard any gatherings at polling stations collation, constituency provincial and national command centers are unlawful. Any gatherings outside polling stations shall be dealt with terms of the Mantainance of Order and Peace Act Chapter 11:23, my office will indeed invoke the necessary security measures to maintain law and order without fear or favour in the country.

The Zimbabwe Republic police is also aware that some civic organisations claim that they have put measures in place to announce the results on 24th August 2023 through statistics availed by some party polling agents in terms of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, it is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission only who has the legal mandate to announce the election results I'm the country, therefore any deviation from the legal provisions shall be dealt with according to the country's laws.

I also urge the voters to peacefully cast their votes and go back to church or any socio economic activity one is set to conduct, no gatherings shall be allowed by the police at police station and the public should feel free to conduct various family, business and other activities with no disruption as police officers are firm on ground for their safety ".