Zim police dismiss vote rigging video claims

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed accusations by some political parties and sections of the media that police officers were involved in busing voters to manipulate the outcome of the elections.

Based on a video clip that was circulated on the social network and was shown on television in South Africa, some parties that lost elections in Zimbabwe claimed the ZRP was involved in manipulating the election through busing people.

Police chief spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba however dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba said the said police officers are recruits based at Morris Depot, who were transported to vote in their constituency which is Mt Pleasant.

Morris Depot is under Mt Pleasant constituency.

"These are police recruits who are properly registered to vote in the concerned wards and constituencies and on this particular day, they were coming from Morris Depot. It is unfortunate and disappointing to note that some individuals and media houses consider the transportation of police recruits to their respective wards as vote rigging. These are empty noises coming from some entities who are scrounging for the so called evidence of vote rigging in their desperate attempt to come up with a case," she said.

There are rules and regulations guiding the conduct and protection of police recruits. The recruits are not allowed to leave their training depot without permission. In the event that they leave, they are under the guidance of their instructors.