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Police ban MDC Youth Assembly peace march
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
September 27, 2011

Police in Harare have banned the MDC Youth Assembly from holding a peace march in central Harare next month. On Monday, the MDC Youth Assembly Secretary, Promise Mkwananzi notified the police of the party's intention to hold a peace march in central Harare on Saturday 16, October 2011.

The peace march is in support of calls by President Morgan Tsvangirai and Zanu PF's Robert Mugabe for the creation of a peaceful environment in the country. The two leaders have further urged the youths to be peaceful and not to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence against innocent people.

However, the Youth Assembly was today informed by the police that the police had banned all public marches except those organised by government ministries or departments.

The Youth Assembly said it was unhappy with the police decision and would seek legal assistance in order to challenge the decision in court.

The proposed peace march by the Youth Assembly comes at a time when hundreds of Zanu PF youths under the notorious wing - Chipangano - have taken over bus ranks in central Harare and are demanding cash from bus operators and vendors. The Zanu PF youths are also responsible for assaulting innocent people especially and Mupedzanhamo, Siyaso and Mbare Musika.

The police have not been taking any action against these rowdy Zanu PF youths although most of them are known. Early this year the police denied the MDC from holding its meetings and rallies across the country in clear defiance of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

According to Posa, the police needs only to be notified that a political party is holding a meeting and they have no right to deny that. The ZRP has no powers to stop public gatherings and the MDC is seriously concerned that it is being used to be the agency and hangman of Zanu PF, which is a fading and expiring political party.

Zanu PF youths have been granted and escorted by the police to hold their meetings most of which have turned violent as they looted and assaulted innocent people.

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