RE: NOTIFICATION FOR A SERIES OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST ZEC IN TERMS OF SECTION 25 OF PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT CHAPTER 11:17
1. The above subject matter is pertinent.
2. We acknowledge receipt of your letter notifying the regulating authority of your intention to hold the above-mentioned demonstration against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on the 25th July 2018 from 1000 hours to 1700 hours has been noted.
3. However, the demonstration could not be sanctioned due to the following reasons:
➢ You have already applied for a star rally scheduled for the 28th of July 2018 which we have already sanctioned.
➢ You previously held two similar demonstrations against ZEC on the 5th of June 2018 and 11th of July 2018 over same issues.
➢You also notified the Regulating Authority of their intended rally pencilled for the 28th of July 2018 at the Robert Mugabe Square and the District is currently organizing manpower for the rally.
➢Your letter is not in conformity with the provisions of section 23 (1) (a) and (b), 23 (2); 25(2) (0). (f). (g) of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) Chapter 11:17.
➢You are advised that currently the District is engaged in final preparation for elections deployment scheduled for the 30th of July 2018. Our members are engaged in training and collection of kit as well as final deployment strategies/ other political rallies.
➢ You are advised that the venue at which you intend to gather i.e. the Africa Unity Square is currently being utilized by the Ministry of Sports Arts and Recreation from Tuesday 17 July 2018 to Saturday 04 August 2018 who are celebrating the Arts. Culture and Heritage policy of Zimbabwe.
The provisions of Section 29 of the Public Order and Security Act Chapter 11:17 will be invoked if any of the conditions stated above is violated.
Thank you in advance for your co-operation.
[NCUBE A] Chief Superintendent
Officer Commanding Police
HARARE CENTRAL DISTRICT
The Zimbabwe Republic Police have turned down applications by the MDC Alliance to hold a series of protests against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) over electoral reforms.
Whilst one would want the right of every Zimbabwean to be honoured at all times, one has to agree with the Police in this case that MDC Alliance just want to hold these demos for no other rational reason than that they have nothing better to do.
There is no way anyone in their right mind would believe that ZEC or anyone can implement any meaningful reforms now, just days before the elections. MDC leaders have had five years during the GNU to implement the reforms and they failed to get even one reform implemented. Since the end of the GNU they have had four years, 11 months and 3 weeks to get the reforms implemented and still they failed.
The MDC leaders have been talking about being ready to die for free and fair elections. This sounds like someone will now do anything including disturbing the peace so they can be arrested – anything to attract attention and steal some limelight just to remain relevant! We want rational leaders and not these desperados!
MDC leaders are corrupt and incompetent, they sold-out on democratic reforms they should just ride into the political sunset and not drag the nation down another political dead end!