Zimbabwe Republic Police Commander for the 2018 Harmonised Elections Committee, Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza has warned the public that the police is concerned by the cases of people defacing, tearing down and removing campaign posters belonging to rivals. Makodza warned that such actions will result in imprisonment of up to 2 years or a level ten fine (no more than $700) or both. Makodza also said that all political parties have been involved in the defacing of posters so far.
Responding to a question, Senior Assistant Commissioner Makodza highlighted that it is illegal for political parties to paste their posters on private property. Two people have already been arrested in Epworth for defacing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s posters.
Section 152 of the Electoral Act reads,
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152 Destruction of political posters, etc.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), from the date on which an election is called until its result is declared, no person shall deface or remove any billboard, placard or poster published, posted or displayed by a political party or candidate contesting the election.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the removal or defacement of a billboard, placard or poster by or at the direction of—
(a) the person who published, posted or displayed it; or
(b) the owner or occupier of the land or premises on which it is published, posted or displayed in contravention of section one hundred and fifty-three.
(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level ten or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
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