Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe (right) addresses members of the media while Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba looks on in Harare yesterday. — Picture: Nicholas Bakili. 
Nyore Madzianike
SECURITY Services are on high alert to ensure the safety and security of the public and everyone, including visitors to the country, should feel secure and continue engaging in their socio-economic activities, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, has said.
Addressing a press conference on the security situation in the country in Harare yesterday, Minister Kazembe said the Zimbabwe Republic Police has made adequate deployments, enough to guarantee a conducive environment for people to conduct their routine socio-economic activities.
He indicated that the Government is aware of illegal threats that have been made by some rogue elements and warned those engaging in such activities.
Minister Kazembe said the Government will not be deterred in fulfilling its constitutional obligation of safeguarding security in the country.
“The Government of Zimbabwe notes with deep concern the mobilisation efforts, through social media postings, pseudo press statements and letters by criminally-inclined individuals and groups inciting peace loving Zimbabweans to engage in unlawful gatherings that interfere with public order,” he said.
“The illegal acts being mobilised undermine the prevailing security, peace and stability. The retrogressive intents should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. Those fronting the mobilisation should stand warned. Their self-seeking, subversive and anti-development endeavours have been exposed”.
Minister Kazembe said Government has a constitutional mandate to safeguard the security and territorial integrity of the country and will fulfil that mandate.
“May I take this opportunity, therefore, to assure the nation and all our visitors that the country’s security services are on high alert to ensure the sustained safety and security of the public”.
He added that police have made adequate deployments to guarantee an environment conducive to socio-economic development and unhindered movement of people in all parts of the country.
Minister Kazembe also reminded the public to abide by the law and regulations governing maintenance of public order.
“I need not emphasise that we are all expected to remain guided by the provisions of Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and Section 164 of the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act on offences relating to electronic communications and materials.
“The relevant instruments will be invoked to deal with those who unlawfully engage in transmitting, broadcasting and distributing data messages to any person, group of persons or to the public with intent to incite acts of violence against any persons or to cause damage to any property,” he said.
Minister Kazembe warned those who intend to incite or force others to participate in illegal gatherings and criminal acts that they will face the full wrath of the law.
“May I, once again, reiterate that anyone who tries to intimidate, threaten, harass or coerce the public to engage in criminal acts will certainly face the full wrath of law.
“The Commissioner General of Police will apply the law to its fullest without fear or favour. In the same vein, I would like to encourage the peace-loving and patriotic citizenry to report anyone who incites violence and causes public despondency through the listed contact details: Harare Emergency Response Centre Toll Free 911 or 112, Harare Operations (0242) 748836 or 777651, Harare Central Police 777592/4/6/8, 777626 (0242), Bulawayo Emergency Response Centre Toll Free 112, 911, Bulawayo Operations (0292) 273547or 883930, National complaints desk (0242) 703631, Police General Headquarters WhatsApp 0712 800 197,” he said.
Minister Kazembe said the police will respond to such reports without delay.
He implored Zimbabweans to continue abiding by the law to effectively contribute towards the country’s attainment of an upper middle income economy status by 2030.
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