Police officers have reportedly been ordered to attend civic education meetings coordinated by the ruling party where they undergo ZANU PF ideological reorientation.
During the civic education meetings, ZANU PF officials are reportedly pleading with police officers to vote for the ruling party in the upcoming general elections.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the training to NewsDay but professed ignorance of ZANU PF’s involvement. He said:
I can confirm that the police are undergoing [civic education] training.
But as to the allegations [that ZANU PF is facilitating], I am not aware.
NewsDay reported that on Monday, 16 January, police officers from various provinces spent the day attending the “training” programme in Murewa and Chivhu in Mashonaland East province.
ZANU PF officials promised to improve cops’ welfare if it wins this year’s general elections.
The ZANU PF officials were accompanied by police commissioners and superintendents.
Police officers were made to sing ZANU PF songs and chant its slogans, reported NewsDay.
Junior police officers are reportedly angry with the development, accusing high-ranking officials of using them for their own benefit.
A message posted by a police officer on one of their WhatsApp groups read:
They (the chefs) get cars, hefty salaries, they live in mansions apa basa ravo ndere kuco-ordinator vopa maorders chete (their job is only to co-ordinate and give orders) What about us?
We get a $200 dollars salary and roam around the streets each day whole on an empty stomach. Zvimwe zvinoda kushandisa brain (Some of these issues need critical thinking).
University of Zimbabwe (UZ) political science lecturer Eldred Masunugure said State institutions should be non-partisan. He said:
If it is really happening that police are under Zanu PF training, it is unconstitutional.
It is up to the affected stakeholders to challenge that in a court of law. It is clear-cut political interference.
Political parties, watchdogs, or prospective candidates should challenge that.
That is an (un)ambiguous abuse of the Constitution.
| NewsDay