Zim police lift ban on political rallies
Zim police lift ban on political ralliesBy George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Sunday July 01, 2007 [04:00]
THE ZIMBABWE Republican Police (ZRP) has lifted the temporary ban on political rallies, which was imposed on Harare’s four districts early this year. And police have urged all political parties to desist from inciting people during their public gatherings.
In an interview on Friday, police chief spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said the temporary prohibition had been lifted.
“That law came into force in the early part of 2000 or 2001 somewhere there. It requires conveners of political gatherings or those who would like to demonstrate to notify the police at least four days before the event itself so that the police ensure that there is safety for everyone,” Bvudzijena said.
“ It’s a requirement so that we are able to ensure that there are no double bookings of venues. Our political gatherings in the
past at times have ended up being violent with both parties wanting to hold rallies at one particular venue.
“So that helps us to know that at least at this venue there is this political party that is holding their rally so that we are able to deploy as well so that they are not disturbed when they hold their rally.”
He said early this year, the country experienced a number of disturbances following some rallies by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
“Where property was destroyed and police officers were attacked. And it was now incumbent upon the regulating authority in terms of the public order and security Act to assess the situation and to see as to whether we were able to provide adequate police service during a rally, which then turned out that we will not be able to,” Bvudzijena said.
“That’s when the prohibition orders were issued in terms of the same Act. But now the situation has turned to be normal, they have assessed it and they believe that if there are going to be any rallies to be held in the Harare area, at least there is going to be some semblance of normality where there is no political violence.”
He said political parties could now hold public rallies in Harare and other parts of the country but they should follow the procedures of the public order and security Act.
“The uplifting of the ban itself does not necessarily mean that anyone can hold a rally anywhere. The processes of the law still have to be followed, where notifications are to be done in the required period,” Bvudzijena said.
“The prohibitions were only in respect of Harare and elsewhere in the country. Those who wanted to have rallies were allowed. So they definitely can hold rallies in Harare now.”
Bvudzijena urged political parties to desist from inciting people during their rallies.
“The first case we had it was a speaker who urged people to go on a rampage, which they eventually did and caused some damage to property. Political violence we believe doesn’t help anyone and on our part it will only be proper that we arrest such people and bring them to book,” he said.
“But I think the politicians also have a role to ensure that there is safety for their people and others who are not party members.”
The ban on political rallies was imposed after a spate of violence in February and March this year in the four districts of the capital, namely Harare South, Central, Suburban and Mbare.
posted by MrK @ 4:03 AM
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