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Police block: CHRA "meet the candidate series"
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
March 19, 2008

The Combined Harare Residents wishes to advise residents in the southern part of Harare that the Officer commanding Southerton Police district has denied them clearances to hold the "meet the candidate public meetings". The Association has thus been incapacitated and unlawfully prevented from affording residents a platform to meet their potential leaders and engage them on manifestos. The refusal to grant clearances is a direct assault to democracy and the association's right to freedom of assembly, freedom of association and expression.

The Police allege that CHRA intends to use these platforms to motivate residents to be violent should the opposition loose the elections. They also allege that they do not have sufficient manpower for political rallies and civic programs. They urged the Association to motivate its members to attend party political platforms if they want to listen to manifestoes. CHRA maintains its non-partisan stance and would like to engage contesting candidates on their manifestos in neutral platforms.

The refusal by the police to grant clearance is thus an assault to our civic duty to enhance resident's participations in matters of local governance. It is abuse of power by the police bent on creating chaos in the elections and subverting the will of the people. The new delimitations have created a lot of uncertainty and the Zimbabwe Election Commission has not done enough voter educations. The Association thus uses these platforms to educate residents on how to vote and address questions on ward boundaries.

The Association has been invited to the inter-party political dialogue to negotiate on the holding of rallies and political meetings. It is hoped that the Association will be allowed to continue with its series. We are aware of the political allegiance of the police and note their evident timid ness and fear in affording residents platforms to meet other candidates from various political parties. The Association however commends other officers of the police who have granted clearances for public meetings in other areas.

Public meetings have been held in Mount Pleasant, Mabvuku and other northern parts of Harare. Residents in these areas have welcomed these meetings and have found them educative especially on matters to do with ward boundaries. This years Municipal elections are different form the past. The Mayor is not chosen directly by the people but by the college of councilors instead. It is important for residents to vote councilors with integrity and a proven track record of community development as these are potential Mayoral candidates for the City.

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