MDC fights for right to hold rally

se Vice President Joice Mujuru would also be in the same town to address ruling party supporters.
MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama said the opposition party had asked the High Court to dismiss the excuse by police to bar the opposition rally, saying Mujuru’s function was not scheduled for Mucheke Stadium, where the opposition intends to hold its “landmark” 8th anniversary celebrations.
Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri is cited as the first respondent in the court application while Officer Commanding Masvingo district Lancelot Matange is cited as the second respondent.
Under the draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA), the police have to be notified of any political gathering in advance. The MDC notified police on September 6 about the planned rally. But in a letter dated September 12, 2007 Matange claimed the police would be tied up at a State function to be addressed by Amai Mujuru on September 22 and 23 in Masvingo and would be short on manpower.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa expressed disappointment in the selective application of POSA by the police, adding he hoped the courts would decisively deal with the matter. He said the MDC was going to take legal action against the police, as well as challenge the constitutionality of POSA from which the police were drawing their discretionary powers.
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