The move by the Principals led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai follows reports that the security forces were mobilising to intimidate and violence as the country prepares for elections.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai told the press Monday that he was taking seriously efforts to dismantle the apparatus for violence.

“We have received reports of deployment of security forces in constituencies. We are going to investigate and take measures,“ he said.

He said none of the Principals would want to see security forces intimidating people as we head towards the referendum and elections slated for March and July respectively.

The Premier had implored President Robert Mugabe, who is the patron of the War Veterans Association, to rein in war veteran chairperson, Jabulani Sibanda, who has continued to terrorise villagers around the country.

“We implored him to take decisive action against one Jabulani Sibanda. I think he is a lone ranger because the war veterans themselves would like to have respect and dignity,” the Premier said.

The Premier added that they had agreed on a new Chairperson for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) but said the name will be released when due process has been followed. Jacob Mudenda was also chosen as the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

The Principals spokesperson said funds for the referendum and elections would be raised locally and through UNDP. “The Government will borrow from local companies to fund the two national processes, and we have also asked UNDP to assist us,” he said.

The Principals have said the referendum date will remain unchanged and on media reforms, they agreed that the restructuring of the public media should be implemented immediately using the formula agreed last year.