Highly placed sources said the officers – Edmore Veterai, Faustino Mazango, William Tandyanemahandu, Trust Nhapata and one only identified as Matema – had held secret meetings in Gutu , Bikita and Chiredzi at which they reportedly threatened to strip all traditional leaders of their chieftainship if they did not support Zanu (PF).
It emerged this week that the meetings turned nasty after some leaders refused to toe the line. “We told them that we have to choose our own leaders,” said a chief who attended the meeting but declined to be named for fear of victimisation.
“We also told them that we are not happy with the fact that any chief believed to be not a Zanu (PF) supporter risks losing his chieftainship. We made it clear that a chief remains a chief despite his or her political affiliation,” added the chief.
It is understood that some of the chiefs have co-operated heavily with the senior officers and have pledged to provide information of all chiefs that are believed to be anti-Zanu (PF). Those present included Chiefs Serima, Gutu, Nyamande and Makore. They were allegedly showered with gifts, including rice and other goodies.
Acting national police spokesman, assistant commissioner Oliver Mandipaka, said there was nothing wrong in police officers gunning for posts and campaigning for Zanu (PF). “There is no law which bars people including police officers from campaigning for Zanu (PF),” said Mandipaka.
The Police Act specifically precludes all police officers from taking part in any form of party politics.
Post published in: News