Bulawayo (New Ziana) -Although there have been some pockets of political clashes across Zimbabwe, these have not affected the peaceful environment that the country is experiencing in the run up to general elections to be held next week, the police has said.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said this while addressing participants to a media stakeholder engagement held in the second largest city on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe holds Presidential, Parliamentary and local government elections on Wednesday next week to choose new leaders and representatives for the next five years.
President Mnangagwa has persistently called for peace before, during and after the polls.
“The country has recorded pockets of political clashes and from the security point of view, these are not affecting the peaceful environment which the country is currently enjoying,” said Insp Ncube.
He said the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security arms of the government have intensified security and safety measures in the country to ensure that the public is free to conduct various social and economic activities in a peaceful environment.
“The country is ready to host peaceful, free, fair and credible elections. The country has also witnessed an increase in political activities being reported by (the) media especially on social media platforms,” he said.
Ncube said every Zimbabwean, including media, has the responsibility it to ensure that national security is not compromised as citizens undertake their various political, social, and economic activities.
“In this vein, we are saying everyone has a role in ensuring that information, whether in the laptop or our minds, is verified before it is published. It is the duty of people in the country to ensure safety and security,” he explained.
He reiterated the commitment of the ZRP to ensure media freedom was guaranteed, recognised and respected by all police officers during and after the polls.
Ncube called on media institutions to assist journalists to ensure they observe laws, especially when it comes to private properties and use of drones, so as to avoid unnecessary conflict with the police and citizens.
He showered praises on the traditional media for reporting objectively as well verifying facts before publishing information unlike its social media counterparts.
“Traditional media has fared well in terms of balancing their news stories as well as the country`s security considerations. However, this is not the case with social media as some reports are one sided, exaggerated or biased,” he said.
New Ziana
