Zimbabwe holds harmonised elections next week on August 23
and political campaigns have intensified with candidates campaigning without
any restriction.
The Government has declared zero tolerance for electoral
violence while declaring that the law will be enforced against perpetrators.
While the country has generally been peaceful, incidents of
politically-related violence were recorded in Shurugwi in the Midlands province
and another in Harare.
Presenting on the state of security during the election
season, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who
was represented by Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube,
during a recent Media Elections Workshop held in Bulawayo, said the security
services were on top of the situation to ensure peace prevails ahead of the
polls.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and other security arms
of the Government have intensified safety and security measures in the country
to ensure that the public is free to conduct various social and economic
activities in a serene environment.
“The country is certainly ready to host peaceful, free,
fair, and credible elections,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“The ZRP has seen an increase in political activities being
reported by the media, especially on social media. All in all, the country has
recorded pockets of political clashes and from the country’s security point of
view, these are not affecting the peaceful environment, which the country is
enjoying.”
Stressing the collective responsibility to contribute
towards peaceful, free, and fair elections, Asst Comm Nyathi said the media
should guard against being used by some sources who deliberately misinform with
the intention of discrediting the electoral process.
“It’s a fact that some politicians might try to exaggerate
or misrepresent facts pertaining to a particular incident. We thus appeal to
journalists to double check facts and be wary of some sources who mislead them
and, in the process, make them write false stories,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“The media should closely work with the ZRP on how to
handle complex and tricky criminal situations. Some human rights organisations
have monitored the way these cases have been reported in the media and at
sometimes handled by the police.
“There are some sources who have a tendency of giving false
information to the media in the process mislead the public for one reason or
the other. This eventually affects the credibility of the media.”
The police said the media should educate the public about
the Electoral Act as some political parties are committing criminal offences
while on a campaign trail.
“The police appeal to the media to assist by highlighting
to the public and political parties the need to follow provisions of the
Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 with respect to pasting of campaign posters on
private property or premises. This will assist to prevent some of the minor
clashes which end up being reported to the police,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“We also urge the media to report on the impact of the
so-called door-to-door campaigns in the run-up to the elections as some are now
fomenting some clashes. This includes the holding of night rallies,
particularly after 4:30pm.”
Through its informative and coverage role, he said the
media should ensure a conducive environment before, during, and after the
elections. This includes avoiding hate speech.
“The media must ensure that its coverage of the election
processes and security environment remain objective, balanced and put the
security of the public and country in general into consideration,” said Asst
Comm Nyathi. Chronicle
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