HARARE - As the country gears towards a referendum and watershed polls this year, police say they are planning a massive peace campaign.

Officer commanding Harare province, Clemence Munoriyarwa told people gathered for the relaunch of the police service charter in Highfield at the weekend that the force will soon embark on anti-violence campaign programmes.

The country is set to go for a referendum in a few months before polls are held.

“As we get closer to these events (referendum and elections), we will come to you campaigning for peace,” said the top Harare police commander.

In previous elections, some political, religious and civil society organisations accused the police and army personnel of selective application of the law and condoning violence.

This culminated in the 2008 election violence which left more than 200 MDC supporters dead.

On Saturday, the Harare police boss said his troops will not entertain a repeat of the 2008 fiasco.

“We are therefore calling upon all the citizens to strictly observe the law of this country so that we can have a peaceful and credible referendum and elections,” Munoriyarwa said.

Also an important event set to take place in this country this year is the co-hosting of the United National World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in Victoria Falls, and the police say it is important to maintain peace if the grand expo is to succeed. - Xolisani Ncube