Security on high alert | Business Times

Zimbabwe’s security services are on high alert to quash any potential skirmishes due to  glitches that saw elections delayed and postponed in some areas including Harare and Bulawayo.

Ballot papers were delivered  late in several areas in the capital city and Bulawayo delaying polls and angering hundreds of potential voters who endured for the whole day going into last night.

The tension has since been worsened by earlier threats by opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa who threatened not to accept any results not in his favour, a position interpreted by Zanu PF as threatening instability in the country.

However, police said those who will attempt to cause mayhem will face the full wrath of the law.

“The ZRP is on high alert and we definitely ensure that the law is followed and maintained in terms of security and safety of the Zimbabweans,” national police spokesperson Assistant Commission Paul Nyathi told Business Times last night.

“We are maintaining patrols and we have a reaction team  and special investigations teams across all provinces so anyone who tries to tamper with the current voting system will only have themselves to blame.”

He said the force was alert and deployed in suburbs to do patrols.

He said the security situation so far is very peaceful  as there are no major incidences of violence.

“We appeal to the political leaders and the generality of the Zimbabweans to continue to observe peace and comply with the laws of the country. I want to reaffirm what the Commissioner General Godwin Matanga  said  that the ZRP will not allow anyone to gather around the polling station as you will not have anyone to blame but yourself,” he warned.

“We are aware  of the delays at some polling stations but ZEC is attending to those logistical glitches and they are  resolving these issues as quickly as possible.”

Nyathi warned the public against inciting violence.

He said the ZRP has been in constant touch  with ZEC agents on the ground regarding all aspects of the voting process, particularly security concerns.

Nyathi also warned against the use of social media to incite violence.

Adressing journalists last night, Chamisa said the election was a sham and far from being free and fair.

“What is disturbing is that we hoped for a fair election but the voting  had not been normal as you have heard our concerns from the  chief election agent where they approached ZEC which seemed to be weak or incapable to deal with the issues that are supposed to be dealt with.”

“Issues we raised were not addressed by ZEC and it’s a cause for concern,” he added saying he will update supporters on way forward.

 

“Zec seems to have confirmed our fears that it could not pass the credibility, professionalism and independence and constitutionality  as well as non-partisan  tests. We don’t expect ZEC to pitch camp with any of the competing sides,” Chamisa said.

ZANU PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa refused to comment saying he was awaiting “direction.”

 

 

 

 

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