Armed riot police and other security personnel were heavily deployed and patrolled the streets in Chitungwiza all day, allowing Tsvangirai to go ahead with the planned rally.
The same rally had to be cancelled two weeks ago after Zanu (PF) militants hurled stones at MDC-T supporters who were gathered at Chibuku stadium. Following the skirmishes, no-one from Zanu (PF) was arrested, something that most people have come to expect from Zimbabwe’s normally partisan police force.
Party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said it was ‘quite refreshing and very unusual’ to see the police keep law and order at an MDC-T rally. He said they wanted to see the same level of alertness and efficiency to be displayed all the time by the police.
“The police were uncharacteristically friendly to the MDC. I have never seen so many police details at our meetings and they were well behaved. It was clear they meant business. They kept trouble makers at bay and ensured those attending the rally were safe. However, it remains to be seen if they will continue to act professionally
because we know their masters (Zanu (PF)) to be good at play acting,” said Mwonzora.
Police spokesman senior assistant commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena declined to comment on the commendation from the MDC-T.
The MDC-T President called on the police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to ensure all citizens received protection, regardless of their political affiliations.
“The role of police is to maintain law and order. The role of the police is not to be a law unto themselves,” said the PM.
Post published in: News
A very mixed message statement, on the up side due respect is given, to the compliments made about the police; this reflects confidence that the police do have the expertise and capability to carryout legal and commendable acts. However on the down side the idea that police resources should be used to protect political rallies does not reflect national interest. In the first instance it is the citizen’s legal right to gather and it is the responsibility of the organisation hosting the event to ensure the safety of its participants? The police having been notified of the event should be out on the lookout for criminals and should not be involved in any political agenda and any person found breaking the law should take personnel responsibility for their actions rather than the party dictating the law in favour of mob rule. It is a well known fact that there are many members in MDC and ZANU-PF who for some unknown reason believe that violence intimidation and fear are the basis of political gatherings. This should be the targets for the police to control. It can be argued that does the policies, procedures, and the conduct of the political parties affect the Human rights of the ordinary non affiliated member of the community, it is this writers opinion that The police should be impartial enough to prosecute the parties as much as public individuals who break the law.