Full Text: Mnangagwa Slams Use Of Police In Zanu-PF Primary Elections
A story in one of our local dailies alleges that Zanu PF abused police officers and other security agencies during its primaries over the weekend either as polling officers or running other errands Party chores. The story creates the wrong impression that the alleged abuses were sanctioned by His Excellency the President, Cde E.D Mnangagwa, in flagrant violation of the country’s Constitution and against his own pledge that state institutions would not be partisan, thereby undermining their constitutional roles as impartial arbiters in the electoral process. The story also suggests that it is the official policy of Zanu PF to enlist the involvement of security arms in Party chores and processes.
The President in his capacity as both leader of a political party and Head of Government wishes to make it abundantly clear to all and sundry that it is neither the policy of Zanu PF nor the direction of Government, through him, to deploy the police force or any arm of the security establishment in helping with any party function, list of all as presiding or returning officers in Party primary elections. Any such instances, which might have occurred in the just ended party primary election would amount to a breach of ZANU PF policy and certainly a flagrant violation of the laws of the land which must be roundly condemned and stopped forthwith. Any officials of the Party or officers of the security establishment caught abusing arms and personnel of security as alleged in the story will be dealt with severely.
Let it be known that any conflation of Party and State institutions as might have happened in the past will not be allowed under the new dispensation where the electoral playing field must be seen to be fair and even. Having said this, it must be acknowledged and accepted that our law enforcement agencies should and will be deployed to ensure law, order and the preservation of the peace wherever people gather, including for political purposes. Government relies on all those in political leadership to send this clear message to their parties and their membership. The President reiterates his pledge to ensure a plebiscite which is free, fair and an uncontested expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe. To that end, Government has invited all manner of observers to bear witness to the fulfillment of this pledge.
Regis Chikowore
Acting Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services