POLICE yesterday turned down the MDC Alliance Bulawayo
province’s intentions to hold demonstrations after the party failed to comply
with the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) in its application.
The opposition party on Saturday notified the police about
its latest plans to have demonstrations in Bulawayo and other provinces on
Thursday and Friday.
The notification comes after police last week issued a
prohibition order barring the MDC-A from demonstrating and the Bulawayo
Magistrate’s Court upheld the ban. The police and the MDC Alliance met
yesterday for a consultative meeting over the demonstrations.
Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi yesterday said the MDC Alliance in Bulawayo province should re-apply and
follow the provisions of the law.
“For Bulawayo province, where the MDC Alliance notified the
provincial regulating authority, I would like to advise members of the public
that the party did not comply with provisions of section 25 of POSA, chapter
11:17,” said Asst Com Nyathi.
Section 25 of the Public Order and Security Act requires
convenors or organisers of public gatherings to give the police at least seven
days’ notice of the holding of a procession or public demonstrations and five
days’ notice of the holding of a public meeting, and makes it an offence to
fail to give such notice.
The party made its application on August 24 for the
demonstrations set for August 29 and 30 and therefore failed to meet the seven
day stipulation.
“The party,
therefore, has to go back to the regulating authority with the necessary
processes and they will be advised thereon,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said the police will issue responses for other provinces
at the appropriate time.
On Sunday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister,
Cain Mathema, said while people had a right to demonstrate, anyone caught
transgressing will face the full wrath of the law. He said law enforcement
agents are on high alert to ensure that peace prevails nationwide.
Protests planned by the party last week were blocked by the
police in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Masvingo, citing fear of an outbreak of
violence after the party had not put in place adequate measures to ensure
peace.
Police also unearthed a plot by MDC Alliance to unleash
violence in their purported “peaceful” demonstrations in Harare and other
cities.
“The police seized catapults and granite stones among other
weapons that the MDC Alliance wanted to use in their orgy of violence. Other
opposition parties have distanced themselves from the protests.
It was also revealed that some MDC Alliance activists were
going about intimidating citizens trying to force them into participating in
their protests.
Business groups, especially in Bulawayo, appealed to the
High Court not to allow the demonstrations to proceed as a number of them lost
their properties between 14 and 16 January this year when similar protests were
held.
In January, the country was plunged into chaos during
violent protests that saw some people losing their lives and public
infrastructure being destroyed costing the country millions of dollars.
Chronicle
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