The police details who moved around telling everyone to go home around 8 pm revealed that the operation was being done to ensure that peace prevails ahead of the watershed polls.
Section 4: 9 of the new constitution states:“Everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket and to present petitions.”
Revelers at Unit L expressed their bitterness but said they were too scared to challenge security personnel because the environment was hotting up as the election mood grips the country.
People could be seen hurrying home for fear of the riot police who were moving in groups and wielding batton sticks.
A man who only identified himself as Murehwa said he wishes elections be held as soon as possible to avoid the harassment of citizens by security officers in the name of maintaining peace.
“In 2008, I was at Chikwanha in one of the bars when they (soldiers) raided the place and I was made to lie on the floor like a fugitive,” he said.
“I was lucky because others were beaten and I do not want a repeat of the same in this election. These people can be ruthless so staying clear is the best,” he said, rushing to his car.
A vendor at the shopping centre who spoke on condition of anonymity said she loathes the election period because it affected her business, especially when ‘curfews’ begin.
She said: “We are being told to vacate the shopping centre because they (police) want to avoid a scenario where people gather for political motives.
“Our families suffer every election because our normal lives are disrupted by the politics of the day,” she said.
Efforts to get a comment from Assistant Commissioner, Charity Charamba, were futile.
Post published in: News