The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) reports that they were denied permission by the police in Bulawayo to organize a march commemorating International Womens Day.
Barbara Tanyanyiwa, who heads the ZCTU Womens Advisory Council Western Region, told SW Radio Africa that the police claim there is a directive from the head office in Harare, banning all processions until further notice. We had booked Stanley Square in Makokoba where we wanted to gather next Tuesday and then march through to our office in town. But we were told all processions and gatherings were banned by the head office, meaning Harare, explained Tanyanyiwa.
She added that a police inspector named Dhapi informed them they could not march, due to this directive.
The law in Zimbabwe says the police simply need to be notified of any planned public events. But of course the authorities consistently ignore the rule of law. ZANU PFs current policy seems to be to clamp down on anything and everything, including private meetings. Taking this practice to the extreme, police arrested a group of activists in Harare on 19th February and charged them with treason, because they had gathered to watch video footage of the protests in Egypt and Libya.
Ironically Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF staged a so-called anti-sanctions rally in Harare this week, while this alleged ban on gatherings is in effect. Business and public transport was interrupted and people were forced to attend and sign a petition.
A frustrated Tanyanyiwa criticized this selective use of the law: Why in Bulawayo are we not allowed to march peacefully? Yet we saw ZANU PF youth toy-toying in the streets of Harare at the sanctions rally. Tanyanyiwa said the ZCTU will take the matter to the high court if they are stopped from marching next Tuesday. They have written a second letter to inform police officials in Makokoba about the peaceful march.
Meanwhile SW Radio Africa correspondent Lionel Saungweme reports that several other groups were also denied permission to gather or march in recent weeks. A youth organization called YIDEZ was banned from holding a meeting in Pumula. The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) were also denied permission to conduct public activities, after notifying the police. Critics have said the Mugabe regime is in panic mode and attempting to instill fear in the hearts of all perceived enemies and political activists. There are also reports of an increased military presence in many parts of the country.
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