DESPITE a surge in August event cancellations and postponements, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has denied blocking shows due to the upcoming Sadc Summit.
Organizers of several high-profile events, including Doek & Slay and Fiesta Fiesta, have cited the summit as reasons for their rescheduled or cancelled events.
“We would like to inform you of an important change in the schedule for the Harare and Gweru editions of the Doek and Slay event,” reads the Doek and Slay statement.
“The Harare edition, initially set for August 11, will now take place on August 25.
“Consequently, the Gweru edition will now move to August 11.
“This adjustment has been necessitated in respect of the 44th Ordinary Sadc Summit of Heads of State and Government, set to take place in August in Harare.”
Organisers of the Fiesta Fiesta claimed their cancellation was a directive from the government.
“Fiesta Fiesta would like to advise its stakeholders and patrons that the Leemacrazy show pencilled for August 11 has been deferred,” read part of the statement.
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“This development is due to a government directive to postpone all shows and public gatherings pencilled for August due to the Sadc summit being held in Harare.”
On Friday Tamba Events management, which hosts the Braai Out event also announced their cancellation of the event scheduled for Lake Chivero.
“The event has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control,” read the statement.
“A high level Sadc summit is taking place from August 10 to 17 and we have made the decision to reschedule our event to avoid any conflicts.”
However, in a statement, the police dismissed the claims as false.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses social media postings alleging that the government of Zimbabwe has banned or prohibited public gatherings due to the forthcoming Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Summit,” reads the statement.
“This is false. The public should dismiss this false information with the contempt it deserves.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores the public to observe the country’s laws while conducting various activities in order to assist in the maintenance of law and order.”
In a separate interview with police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, he said show promoters should simply adhere to requirements for them to be granted permission.
“Show organisers should just adhere to the requirements for hosting events that are issues to do with security and so forth,” said Nyathi.
“We are aware that there are people peddling false information that they have been blocked from hosting events. That is wrong and untrue.”
Meanwhile, the ZRP, in conjunction with the Harare metropolitan police, has launched Operation Guta Ngarigare Rakachena to restore order and cleanliness in the city centre ahead of the summit.
The operation targets street vendors, taxi operators, and car wash operators operating illegally.
Authorities have warned that unlicensed vendors will face penalties, including arrests for repeat offenders. Kombi operators are also being cautioned against illegal activities such as using touts and dangerous parking.
Zimbabwe is set to host the 44th Sadc summit on August 17, 2024. The country will also assume the chairmanship of Sadc and recently hosted the Sadc industrialisation week leading up to the summit.
