ZRP to Allow CCC Rallies Following Leaked Internal Documents
ZRP say the document was an internal communique that was not meant for public or media consumption.
Zimbabwe Republic Police have responded to a document circulating on social media directing police commanders to deal with Harare Headquarters for any communication regarding approving of rallies.
The documents were leaked by a yet-to-be-identified police officer according to ZRP police.
In a statement, ZRP says that the document was an internal communique that was not meant for public or media consumption.
The ZRP has taken note of an internal memorandum directed to Police commanders from Commander 2023 Harmonised Elections which was leaked to the media.
The ZRP advises the public and the media that the leaked memorandum was a communication guide which was meant for police commanders not for public or media consumption.
We do not condone leakage of internal memoranda by unruly elements within the system. The ZRP is now conducting investigations with the view of identifying the culprit and finding the motive behind.
THE SUDDEN CHANGE
Provincial police commanders have been instructed to permit opposition political parties to organise their rallies and, in the case that there are any objections, to check with their superiors before acting.
ALSO READ: ZRP BANS CCC RALLIES
Police chiefs recently changed their tune by allowing opposition rallies to take place in a memo to officers commanding police provinces and officers commanding the Support Unit, which was copied to the director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the director of police intelligence.
Commanders are reminded that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed August 23 as the date for the harmonised elections.
The president has on numerous occasions also preached the gospel of peace and tolerance ahead of the impending elections.
It is against this background that commanders are urged to make sure that all processes relating to elections are done peacefully and in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 and the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) Chapter 11:23.
Police noted that of late social media has been awash with incidents where some political parties claimed to have been denied the right to hold their rallies by the police resulting in skirmishes.
These skirmishes are discrediting the electoral processes, as such, commanders are requested to make sure that there are very valid reasons to warrant such rejections.
Under such circumstances , regulating authorities are urged to thoroughly consult before coming up with decisions to deny any political player an opportunity to hold a rally or meeting.
Commanders should note that for elections to be deemed free, fair, peaceful and credible the playing field should be reckoned as level, hence the police actions should not discredit the electoral processes.
