Police have acknowledged the authenticity of a leaked internal memorandum sent to provincial police commanders advising them to grant political parties permission to hold rallies and have initiated investigations to determine how it leaked.
According to police, the “leaked” memo was a communication guide intended for commanders rather than the general public or the media.
National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed in a statement that investigations have been initiated to identify the ‘unruly elements’ within the force who leaked the memo and the motivation behind it.
“The ZRP has taken note of an internal memorandum directed to Police commanders from Commander 2023 harmonised elections which was leaked to the media,” said Asst. Comm Nyathi.
“We do not condone leakage of internal memoranda by unruly elements within the system.”
The ‘controversial’ memo was directed to officers commanding police provinces and officers commanding the Support Unit, which was copied to the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Director of Police Intelligence, where the police chiefs made an about urn by allowing opposition rallies to take place.
The memo advised commanders to make sure there are very valid reasons to warrant rejections for political parties that request to hold rallies.
“Under such circumstances, regulating authorities are urged to thoroughly consult before coming up with decisions to deny any political player an opportunity to hold a rally or meeting,” read the memo.
“Commanders should note that for elections to be deemed free, fair, peaceful and credible the playing field should be reckoned as level, hence the police actions should not discredit the electoral processes.”
