Vote Zanu PF Or Lose Jobs, Civil Servants Told
- From: Zvakanaka <lalapansi@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:16:42 +0200
Vote Zanu PF Or Lose Jobs, Civil Servants Told
Zim Standard
Local
Saturday, 31 May 2008 18:20
BULAWAYO — Matabeleland South war veterans last week allegedly forced
dependants of Gwanda police officers to attend a meeting at which they
ordered them to vote for President Robert Mugabe on 27 June to save their
breadwinners’ jobs.
Sources told The Standard the war veterans, accompanied by senior
provincial police officers last Sunday stormed the Gwanda main police
station and ordered everyone to the meeting.
The veterans, led by Sinini Mangena, Stewart Khumalo and the
Senator-elect for Gwanda, Japhet Dube (Zanu PF) were reportedly accompanied
by the officer commanding the province, Ronald Muderedzwa, and the officer
commanding administration, Joram Mlilo.
"They told the wives and dependants of the police officers they would
be evicted from the main police camp and their husbands and parents
dismissed from the force if they did not vote for Mugabe," said a police
source.
The meeting followed another held a week earlier at the same camp,
where police officers were warned against voting for the MDC’s Morgan
Tsvangirai.
They were told a Tsvangirai win would see the country sliding into
civil war.
About 500 Matabeleland South police officers attended the initial
meeting at the senior officers’ mess in Gwanda.
Mlilo was in the chair, assisted by Superintendent Hosaya Mukombero,
responsible for training in Beitbridge.
They were accompanied by Officer Commanding Gwanda District, Chief
Superintendent David Difala and Superintendent Konrad Manhai, the deputy
officer commanding Gwanda District.
The police officers at the meeting are based at the New Government
Complex in Gwanda and their ranks ranged between constables to chief
inspectors.
Others were from the Gwanda police station, district headquarters and
provincial stations.
"The chairperson said all police officers and members as well as their
dependants, wives inclusive, must vote for Zanu-PF," said the source. "This
was to ensure that more than 20 000 ZRP members gave Zanu PF more votes and
an outright victory for Mugabe."
Officers in the security forces and Zimbabwean diplomats vote days
before the elections.
Anti-government protests are ruthlessly put down by the police.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Tafanana Dzirutwe, confirmed that
the meeting took place but refused to comment saying the discussions were
about "internal matters".
"We hold our meetings as per police regulations, discussing issues
that have to do with the police force," he said. "As such, I cannot comment
on what was said or discussed at the meeting as the proceedings of the
meeting were only for the police and internal, according to our
regulations."
The police sources said they were told all officers and their
dependants would use the postal vote where they would be strictly monitored
by immediate supervisors.
Observers say this is in violation of the Electoral Act as dependants
of officers in the security forces are not allowed to vote under the postal
voting system.
Postal voting is also voluntary.
Under the Electoral Act, officers from the security forces deployed on
duty outside their voting constituencies as well as civil servants on duty
outside the country are the only ones allowed to vote under the postal
voting system.
Officers from the security forces vote days before the elections.
Analysts credit the uniformed forces with ensuring Mugabe’s continued hold
on power despite growing disaffection.
By Nqobani Ndlovu
.
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