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Police review ban on political rallies, demos
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
March 24, 2007

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=16812&cat=1

POLICE yesterday issued fresh prohibitions of political rallies and demonstrations in Harare and Chitungwiza for a period of one month.

Initially, police had banned rallies and demonstrations in Harare and Chitungwiza for a period of three months, which was supposed to lapse in May.

However, in separate notices published in yesterday's Government Gazette, Officers Commanding police districts in Harare and Chitungwiza said the bans would now last until the end of April.

The fresh bans are with effect from today.

Officers Commanding Harare South and Mbare Districts Chief Superintendents Thompsen Toddie Jangara and Tsitsi Sadzamari said the bans in their districts, would last until April 21 2007.

Harare South District covers Glen View, Kuwadzana, Glen Norah, Warren Park, Highfield, Dzivaresekwa and Southerton while Mbare covers the whole Mbare high-density suburb (including Matapi Area and Stodart Hall), Waterfalls and Braeside.

The ban on political rallies in Chitungwiza and Harare Central Districts will last until April 25 2007 while the ban in the Harare Suburban District would be lifted on April 24.

The bans on political rallies and demonstrations were done in terms of the Public Order and Security Act. Section 27 of the Act allows the regulatory authority, who in this case is the police, to temporarily ban the holding of public demonstrations "or any class thereof in the area or any part thereof" if he believes that there are reasonable grounds that such gatherings would threaten public order and security.

Police took the measure after MDC supporters went on the rampage in Highfield in February, barricading roads and disturbing business ahead of a rally that was to be addressed by party leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai.

Police had to fire teargas to disperse the rowdy youths.

At least 29 vehicles were destroyed and one of them burnt to ashes in Glen View, in the aftermath of the Highfield clashes.

The MDC appealed to Home Affairs Minister; Cde Kembo Mohadi to lift the ban and the Minister is still to make a determination.

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