Police block economy woe demonstration

Activists however, vowed to defy the ban and proceed with the demonstration which is scheduled for this weekend (Saturday) with members from 11 local civic organisations vowing to take part in the procession.

Masvingo United Residents and Rate Payers Alliance (MURRA) and the Community Tolerance Reconciliation and development (COTRAD) are spearheading the protest.

Other organisations taking part include ZimRights, Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ) and the Masvingo Ministers Fraternal.

“We had notified the ZRP in accordance with the laws of the land but we have just received a letter from the police barring us to go ahead with our peaceful demonstration,” said Godfrey Mtimba, MURRA’s spokesperson.

“They did not give us reasons for the ban and we have since engaged Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to make an urgent application at the courts so that the ban could be lifted.

“We are going ahead with the demo.”

Mtimba said they would hand over a petition with a list of their grievances to Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Shuvai Mahofa.

Part of the organisations’ grievances include the “huge unemployment rate, corruption, cash crisis and the missing $15 billion dollars”.

COTRAD information and advocacy officer Brighton Ramusi said the police ban was unconstitutional and blasted the ZRP for “politicising the work of civic organisations”.

“The ban is unconstitutional. We are allowed to demonstrate as enshrined in the new constitution and the police do not have the power to ban us from holding the demo.

“What the police are doing is simply politicising the work of civic organisations,” he said.