Source: ZimPF accuses police of trying to sabotage rally – NewsDay Zimbabwe July 12, 2016
FORMER Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s opposition Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) party has claimed that its Mutare rally, scheduled for this weekend, now hangs in the balance, as police have not yet cleared it.
BY KENNETH NYANGANI
ZimPF provincial chairman for the mobilising committee, Charles Samuriwo, told NewsDay yesterday that the party had been sought police clearance for the rally two weeks ago without lucky.
‘’Police have been failing to give us a clearance for the past two weeks, they are constantly changing goalposts, making demand after demand, we are referred from one police station to another,’’ he said.
Zim PF said the delay had the potential to affect their rally since council could not confirm the booking of their venue in the absence of a police clearance.
‘’Council cannot confirm our booking because we don’t have a police clearance, flyers are there and posters, but we cannot distribute them without a clearance. I think it is an attempt by police to sabotage our rally,’’ Samuriwo said, adding the rally is scheduled to take place at Sakubva Stadium on Saturday.
Manicaland police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa promised to investigate the matter.
‘’Let me find out if it is true that they are being frustrated before l can respond to you,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, MDC-T Manicaland provincial spokesperson, Trevor Saruwaka urged Zim PF to continue to fight for the clearance.
‘’This is what we have been experiencing. This is how the police treat the opposition. We faced similar challenges when we were organising our demonstration last month. They must be prepared because if they have the numbers people will attend,’’ he said.
Last month, the MDC-T had to reschedule its anti-government demonstration after police allegedly indicated that the event would clash with a scheduled Zanu PF meeting in the city.
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