via Police cordon off ‘Dzamara Square’ – NewZimbabwe 15/11/2015
HARARE shoppers who usually use the lush green Africa Unity Square to relax could not do so Saturday afternoon as police officers cordoned off the park.
All entrances into the park were manned by police officers who were in full riot gear turning people away.
Also parked right inside the square was an armoured truck full of riot police.
When the Newzimbabwe.com news crew tried to enter the park it was stopped by police officers who said the area had of late been used by political activists and students to plan their ‘illegal’ demonstrations.
“Remember these activists now call this Dzamara Square and since yesterday (Friday) no one is allowed inside until there is peace in the CBD and the situation has improved,” said one officer.
Africa Unity Square is the place from where journalist- cum activist, Itai Dzamara, led his campaign against “failed Mugabe” until he was abducted by suspected state agents in March.
Nothing has been heard from him since and fears are mounting that he may have been killed.
With the current heat wave sweeping across Zimbabwe, shoppers who wanted to take a rest complained, saying it was daft for the police to cordon the park off as demonstrations could start anywhere within Harare.
“I had brought my kids for a walk and to relax in the park but the police couldn’t let us in,” said one Percy.
“This is not a security threat area; they (ZRP) should go and arrest criminals instead of trampling on our rights.”
A student revising for his final O’ Level examinations said she was disappointed as he wanted to use the park.
On Friday, 21 students from various colleges were arrested as they tried to march to Parliament to hand over a petition calling for better education and accommodation.
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