HARARE The Zimbabwean government on Tuesday said it had instructed the police to allow citizens to demonstrate but warned those who might take to the streets without giving notice to law enforcement agents, a government minister announced Tuesday.He will not unnecessarily impede people who want to demonstrate. We have given certain instructions to the police for the people to be allowed to demonstrate,” co-home affairs minister Giles Mutsekwa told a news conference in Harare.But Mutsekwa, who is from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais MDC party, warned demonstrators who fail to notify the police that they shall be guilty of an offence and added that the police will not hesitate to use minimum force to control demonstrators.
Mutsekwa presides over the home affairs ministry with Kembo Mohadi, a member of President Robert Mugabes ZANU PF party, under an arrangement agreed by the Zimbabweans parties as part of their power-sharing deal.
Mohadi was not immediately available for comment on the matter, while there was also no immediate confirmation from Chihuris office that the police would abide by the order to allow public demonstrations.
Chihuri, who is one of the key security figures behind Mugabe’s power, has been accused of ordering police to break up demonstrations by civic organizations, opposition political parties and other groups perceived as opposed to Zimbabwes veteran leader.
The police had continued to ban protests even after formation of a power-sharing government by Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who heads a smaller faction of the MDC.
“The ministry does not deny anyone from taking part in peaceful demonstrations. Let it be known to all and sundry that demonstrations are allowed in Zimbabwe but must be done within the confines of the law,” Mutsekwa said. In 2004, Mugabe and his then sole ruling ZANU PF party enacted the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) which made it illegal to demonstrate without first notifying the police.
The Act also made it a requirement for anyone to seek police clearance if they would want to hold a gathering of more than ten people.
Tsvangirai was brutally assaulted last year after he attended a public prayer meeting in Harares Highfield working class suburb that the police had banned.
Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara formed a coalition government last February to tackle Zimbabwes economic and humanitarian crisis.
The coalition government has said it needs US$10 billion to re-build Zimbabwes economy. But Western governments with capacity to provide the funds are withholding direct financial support insisting they want to see more reforms including measures to uphold basic human rights before they can provide aid to Harare.
Post published in: Politics