Zimbabwe Police Commissioner-General Speaks on Elections

Police Commissioner General Chihuri of Zimbabwe says that the Southern African state is prepared for the national elections slated for Julyy 31, 2013., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Chihuri speaks on elections

Friday, 05 July 2013 02:14
Crime Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

POLICE Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri yesterday said the force does not need any assistance

from anyone to carry out its constitutional mandate to maintain law and order during elections.

He said the force would continue to denounce any forms of violence.

The police chief assured the nation that the electorate will exercise their political rights in a peaceful environment.

“We are ready for elections and we don’t need anyone to come and help us. We can do it and we will do it,” said Comm Gen Chihuri.

Comm-Gen Chihuri made the remarks yesterday while addressing 33 officers who will be leaving the country for United Nations peacekeeping duties in Liberia and Sudan and Assistant Inspector Thompson Dick who recently returned from a similar mission in Liberia.

He said as the country prepares for the important event, the police will continue urging players across the political divide to desist from employing violent means to out-wit one another.

“We continue to warn those bent on fomenting violence, that the nation will not brook such divisive tendencies. The country is on the threshold of realising full economic recovery and this drive cannot be muffled by the hypnotised and out of control political excitement usually resonating from political campaigns,” he said.

Comm-Gen Chihuri urged police officers to exhibit impeccable discipline, reliability, loyalty, patriotism, cadre-ship commensurate with the esteemed status of the police.

“If we chose to ignore this obligation, we will not only be letting down the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) but the nation at large.

“Let it therefore be said by posterity, when time comes to pass and to our credit, that we as the ZRP played our part as we helped build this beautiful nation and fostered peace to troubled countries around the world,” he said.

He said policing in foreign land calls for total commitment and dedication.

Of the 33 officers, 28 are set to leave for South Sudan while the other five leave for Liberia.

Comm-Gen Chihuri said this was an achievement in the history of the ZRP in the international peacekeeping arena and that the force’s commitment to peace and tranquillity was well documented.

He said it was indisputable that peace for the world could not be guaranteed without the participation of other nations.

“In this breath, the ZRP believes that making peace elsewhere in the world also secures our nation. Our determination in extending the frontiers of peace and stability throughout the world is inspired by our deep-seated moral and inviolable obligation to international peacemaking and peace enforcement as law-abiding citizens of the global community,” Comm-Gen Chihuri said.