Chihuri – a supporter of President Robert Mugabe and whose officers are accused of human rights violations – has directed that police could go on vacation only after the March 29 presidential, parliamentary and local government elections.
We have been told that leave and off days would only be approved after the elections, said a police officer, who did not want to be named because he did not have permission from his superiors to talk to the press.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed the leave ban, which he said was normal practice in times where maximum manpower is required.
It’s very normal and procedural for police officers to be recalled back from leave or to be denied leave whenever the situation arises, said Bvudzijena.
Members of the police force would be allowed to take their leave after the elections.
Chihuri, who has banned the carrying of machetes, axes, bows, arrows and other traditional weapons like those used by rioters in Kenya, told the opposition two weeks ago that the police had permission under the law to use firearms to crush riots.
At least 1 500 people died and tens of thousands have been displaced since December 27, when post-election violence erupted in Kenya after allegations of vote rigging.
Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe’s 1980 independence from Britain, faces his sternest political test in a presidential race against expelled ruling ZANU-PF party politburo member Simba Makoni and old rival Morgan Tsvangirai of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party.
Analysts say an unfair political field that favours Mugabe means he cannot lose the ballot despite an acute economic and food crisis gripping Zimbabwe.
But they say the veteran leader may fail to get the 51 percent of the vote required to win outright and could be forced into an embarrassing second round run-off against either Makoni or Tsvangirai.
Post published in: News