POSA Is Necessary To Maintain Peace At Public Gatherings: Parly Responds To Calls For Repeal

The Fortune Chasi led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, has defended the Public Order and Security Act (Posa) despite calls for the act to be repealed. Civic society organisations and pro-democracy activists have called for POSA and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Aippa) to be repealed describing the two laws as draconian. A report from the Parly Committee, however, says,

The committee notes that laws of general application for the maintenance of public order and security are necessary, and in this regard, the role of the Zimbabwe Republic Police is vital and the notice so required is a necessary tool to ensure law and order.

The presence of the police and the army at polling centres is necessary for the preservation of law and order, and this is actually pursuant to section 239(j) of the Constitution that mandates the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to request them to ensure smooth, efficient and proper conduct of elections.

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