THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has blocked a planned protest by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) scheduled for August 17, citing non-compliance with the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Mopa).
The protests were intended to coincide with the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) 44th summit in Harare, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to assume the bloc's chairmanship.
The opposition political party's planned protest comes amid heightened tensions in the country, with a crackdown on human rights activists intensifying ahead of the summit which starts tomorrow.
The CCC had announced plans to hold nationwide protests during the summit, under the banner “Zimbabwe Let's Unite and Fix Our Country”, citing deteriorating human rights conditions.
Prominent activists Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusumuzi Moyo were recently removed from an aeroplane by suspected state agents at Robert Mugabe International Airport, while en route to a civil society conference in Victoria Falls, as part of the broader crackdown on dissent.
In a letter dated August 13, signed by Murewa District Chief Superintendent, the police acknowledged receipt of the CCC's notification to hold peaceful protests but argued that the notification was a “legal nullity”.
“Reference is made to the above subject. I acknowledge receipt of your notification dated 06 August 2024 and served (on the) 7th of August 2024 at around 1200 hours at ZRP Murewa,” reads the letter from the police.
“I have taken note of the fact that you are familiar with the provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Chapter 11:23) [Mopa].
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“Be that as it may, I have further noted that you have no legal basis to give on behalf of the organisation you purport to represent.
“In that regard, you did not fully comply with the provisions of Mopa, hence notification is a legal nullity. Kindly comply fully with the provisions of Mopa,” the letter further states.
In response, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi countered the police's claims, stating that the party had met all legal requirements for the protest.
“From the police statement, it is clear that as long as you have notified the local commanding officer, you have complied with the law requirements and there is no need to notify the national command centre,” he said.
“We have notified relevant respective local command elements of the police and we are proceeding accordingly.” Police in Chivhu also issued another ban.
The CCC organisers had anticipated a turnout of 10 000 protesters.
However, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that: “Notifications to have political gatherings are conducted through regulating authorities at various police districts in the country.
“This is clear in terms of Maintenance of Peace and Order Act Chapter 11:23. The regulating authorities, who are officers commanding police districts, are not obliged to inform police general headquarters unless it is absolutely necessary.
“In this regard, the Police at national level cannot confirm claims by the political activists at national level.”
