POLICE Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri yesterday vowed that the force will continue its crackdown on non-governmental organisations that are allegedly operating outside the law. REPORT BY FELUNA NLEYA
Speaking at a police passout parade at Morris Depot in Harare, Chihuri said police were aware of NGOs that were working for international organisations in violation of the law.
“There are some organisations that are aligned to the West,” Chihuri said.
“They are doing agendas on their behalf, doing things outside their constitutions.
“I call upon these NGOs to stick to their constitutional operations.
“Should they not do that and venture into areas not contained in their constitution they should have themselves to blame and not the police.”
Chihuri said they were also aware of some political parties that held illegal gatherings at night and warned that the force would not hesitate to deal with them.
“As police, we are aware that some political parties have resorted to some unorthodox methods such as gathering at night in violation of the laid down procedures,” he said.
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“May I warn all such unscrupulous elements bent on propagating and perpetuating violence in a naïve agenda of tarnishing the image of the country that the police will maintain a zero tolerance on any forms of violence.”
According to the Public Order and Security Act (Posa), a police clearance is needed when more than 15 people gather. Chihuri said Zimbabweans must take heed of calls for peace made by President Robert Mugabe as the country moved towards elections expected in July.
“The ZRP has a constitutional mandate to ensure that such a milestone event is carried out in a peaceful and tranquil environment, which allows Zimbabweans of all walks of life to exercise their democratic right without any hindrance,” he said.
“We are aware that some people or political parties are distributing some illegal communication devices to some unsuspecting members of the public.
“They are taking advantage of the needy communities and in the guise of helping them, they also hand over these communication devices.”
