ASHER MOYO
CHIPINGE -Zimbabwe’s main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in Chipinge has challenged the Police in court for banning its rallies that were scheduled for Thursday to Saturday at Holland, Muzite and Pfidza Business Centres in Chipinge East Constituency.
Police had told Chipinge CCC that it cannot go ahead with the campaign rallies.
In a memo seen by this publication dated July 12, 2023, Officer Commanding Chipinge District, Superintendent Godwill Chinyanganya said that CCC’s notifications are not compliant with the provision of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.
He wrote: “I chief Superintendent Godwill Chinyanganya being the regulatory authority for Chipinge district, the police district which covers areas including meetings at the above mentioned business centres. May I advise you that all your notifications are not compliant with the provision of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act chapter (11:23). I urge you to revisit them,” read the letter.
CCC members were represented by Admire Nkumbula of Mhungu and Associates.
“CCC members appealed against the decision of being denied to hold their rallies and they were granted the authority to go ahead with their rallies.
“Although the Dispol did not write in clear terms that they have prohibited the rallies, the late effects of the decision which was made was to prohibit the rally .As the regulatory authority, he was supposed to give his decision not to give a vague statement. It was on this basis that CCC members appealed,” said Nkumbula.
Magistrate Franklin Mkwananzi granted their appeal.
