Zimpapers Logo

Fortunate Gora Mash West Correspondent
Police have urged people in Makonde to desist from engaging in all forms of violence before, during and after the July 30 harmonised elections. In a speech read on his behalf by Chief Superintendent Lovemore Mutadza during the launch of the anti-violence campaign in Chinhoyi recently, Senior Assistant Commissioner Felly Chikowero-Mjanga also urged political leaders to encourage their supporters to tolerate each other regardless of their political differences.

He said this would ensure that no unnecessary conflict, which may result in violence ahead of forthcoming elections, takes place.

“As the voting community, we are also expected to tolerate each other in a peaceful manner.
“In the same vein, all political parties and their leaders who will compete in the forthcoming elections are also urged to tolerate each other peacefully,” he said.

Snr Asst Comm Chikowero-Mjanga said police will accordingly ensure that all those bent on discrediting the national event are brought to book.

“To be precise, all those misguided elements with insatiable desire to commit crime shall be arrested and brought to the courts of law so that justice takes its due course,” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Chikowero-Mjanga said habitual perpetrators of violence may be stopped from exercising their right to vote.
“Be also advised that once arrested and subsequently incarcerated, some of your rights, including the right to vote will be legally taken away,” she said.

Meanwhile, police in Makonde has banned the carrying of dangerous weapons from June 21 to September 15 in terms of Section 14 N(1) of Public Order and Security Act 11;17.

“The carrying of dangerous weapons in public whether openly or by concealment any of the following weapons or items capable of use as weapons is strictly prohibited,” the police said in a statement.

Police has also banned the carrying of weapons such as catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggers.