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Zim police ready to use full force against election violence

Zim police ready to use full force against election violence
By George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Thursday February 28, 2008 [03:00]

ZIMBABWE’s police chief Augustine Chihuri has warned that the police was ready to use full force, including firearms to stamp out violence during next month’s harmonised presidential and parliamentary elections. Addressing journalists at police headquarters, Commissioner-General Chihuri said police could invoke the Public Order and Security Act, which permit officers to use firearms and other weapons, if they found other methods to be ineffective or inappropriate.

“In our dealing with unruly or rowdy elements we are empowered to use minimum force necessary in circumstances to quell a disturbance. In certain circumstances we are also empowered to use full force, including, the use of firearms.

I reiterate that the police will never treat perpetrators of political violence with kid gloves. Please be warned,” Commissioner-General Chihuri said.

He appealed to Zimbabweans to desist from any actions that might necessitate or compel the police to use force.

“There has been talk from some opposition circles and civic organizations of street protests or Kenya-style riots if the ballot does not go in favour of one’s political party,” Commissioner-General Chihuri said. “Machetes, axes, bows and arrows cannot put anybody into office. We will never allow that to happen in this country. We will nip it in the bud. We are adequately resourced to cover this election.”

Commissioner-General Chihuri said the western world has sought to distort their patriotism and loyalty partnership.

“We have also been accused of selective enforcement of the law. Is the Zimbabwe Republic Police indeed partisan and selective in enforcing of the law?” Commissioner-General Chihuri asked.

“We are Zimbabwe Republic Police officers and owe our allegiance to Zimbabwe. We have sworn our allegiance to the country, people and the laws of this nation. Zimbabwe is an independent state with its own laws and ways of doing things.”

He said the use of force by police world over had always attracted criticism, cynicism and was deliberately exaggerated most of the times for a purpose.

“This is a sticky point so-designed to undermine and discredit the entire electoral process. We are not deterred by the utterances of hate from the western world concerning this issue as it is in their interest to discredit all who are not their puppets in their quest to defend their interests,” Commissioner-General Chihuri said.

He called upon campaigning political parties and individuals to conduct their campaigns within the confines of the law.

“As they go about campaigning, words should be used to foster healing among people with efforts directed at fixing problems rather than laying blame,” Commissioner-General Chihuri advised. “We urge all political parties to avoid provocative means of campaigning, loose talk intended to incite violence, threatening and intimidating behavior.”

Labels: ELECTIONS, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 1:11 PM