ANOTHER rally planned by the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has been banned by police, with a warning that should party members gp ahead and convene the unsactiomed rally, they will be arrested.
CCC ward Councillor Wishes Hama had laid a rally for 6 August, this Saturday, at Checheche Primary School grounds in Chipinge. This was in her celebration following her victory in the 26 March by-election.
In denying the opposition party the right to hold the event, Chief Superintendent Chinyanganya said the venue cited by the applicant was already booked for another political meeting, without further clarification.
Expected to grace the Chipinge Ward celebrations was Prosper Mutseyami, the CCC chief whip and provincial boss for Manicaland. Another local heavyweight, Clifford Hlatshwayo, was also billed to address the local supporters.
Last weekend, police banned another rally set for Glen Norah in Harare where a local constituency legislator had set a celebration party. Police similarly cited the party request failed to meet provisions of the of Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Chapter.
The CCC, led by Nelson Chamisa, perceives police action as deliberately tilted in favour of Zanu PF which has never had a rally banned and does not even seek police approval to hold on. With elections coming in 2023, an uneven political playground is created where the CCC will only get to campaign freely too close to the election.
Attention: WISHES HAMA
RE: PROHIBITION NOTICE INTERMS OF SECTION 8(9) OF THE MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND ORDER ACT, CHAPTER 11:23
I, Chief Superintendent G. CHINYANGANYA being the Regulating Authority for Chipinge district, the police district which covers areas including Checheche, Chisumbanje have taken note of your notification to hold a political meeting at Checheche Primary School grounds area on 6th of August, 2022.
Your notification does not conform to the provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Chapter 11:23 order number 9/2019.
Furthermore, the venue you intend to use was already booked for another political meeting.
Now, therefore, I as the Regulating Officer do hereby issue this prohibition notice in terms of section 8(9) of Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Chapter 11:23, prohibiting the holding of political gathering scheduled for 6th day of August 2022 at Checheche Primary School grounds from 1100 to 1700 hours.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared in terms of section 8(11) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Chapter 11:23 that any person who knowingly opposes or fails to comply with this prohibition notice shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 14 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both such fine and imprisonment.
