POLICE on Thursday mounted heavy security around Parliament as legislators prepared to vote on the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 at its Third Reading stage in the National Assembly.
A strong police presence was visible at all entrances to the Parliament precinct, with officers deployed along roads leading to the legislature. Motorists with no business at Parliament were being turned away and prohibited from using routes passing through the area.
The heightened security comes amid growing public interest in the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which has sparked heated debate both inside and outside Parliament.
The bill is today before the National Assembly for its Third Reading, where legislators will cast their votes either in support of or against the proposed constitutional changes. Should the bill secure the required support in the lower house, it will proceed to the Senate for consideration.
The increased deployment follows a recent police warning against planned protests over the bill, with authorities cautioning members of the public against engaging in demonstrations that they said could disturb public order.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi told NewsDay that the deployment was routine and aimed at maintaining law and order.
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"This is a normal deployment by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to maintain law and order and to assure Zimbabweans of their safety," said Nyathi.