…as police ban Bikita CCC rally
BRILLIANT MUKARO
BIKITA-Veteran educationist and political activist, Dr Takavafira Zhou has challenged the Citizens Coalition for Change to devise other methods of campaigning and stop being crybabies in the face of unfair playing field as the country inches closer to the crunch August 23 general elections.
Dr Zhou who also doubles up as CCC Midlands Province spokesperson and Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president said this following Police’s refusal to clear today’s campaign rally by the biggest opposition at Mbuya Nehanda Primary School.
Bikita Police chief declined to clear a CCC rally that was scheduled to be held at Mbuya Nehanda Primary school in Bikita East today.
The Midweek Watch is in possession of a letter dated June 29 2023 which was signed by Masvingo East Police Chief Superintendent, Taurai Joackim Mangwiro barring the holding of the campaign rally.
“I Chief Superintendent Taurai Joackim Mangwiro of the ZRP acknowledges receipt of your notification dated 28/06/2023 requesting to hold a public meeting at ward 24 in Bikita District on 30/06/2023 from 10 am to 4pm which you submitted in terms of section 7 of the maintenance of order and public order act.
“You are being advised that your notification does not meet the requirements of the aforementioned Act, it does not comply with the laws that govern public gatherings,” reads part of the letter.
Over 70 CCC political gatherings were not sanctioned by the Police since November last to date with some political analysts concluding that the prohibition shows how Zanu PF is manipulating state apparatus to stifle the main opposition’s mobilization efforts.
Dr Zhou bemoaned the situation saying it is worrying that ZRP which must be of service to the whole nation is being used by a political party to further its interests.
However, he said CCC must leave the crybaby syndrome and navigate other methods of reaching out to the people without holding rallies as they have proven not to work as long as the Police act in a partisan manner.
He said the party must continue with the Mugwazo system where members campaign in the confines of the family or the village by reaching them through door to door without having to gather them at a public place.
“We are past the age of being crying babies. A party bent on winning must find other means of reaching out to people despite rallies being banned. I urge our members to continue with the Mugwazo system and campaign through door to door as rallies have proven not to work,” said Dr Zhou.
Zanu PF Masvingo spokesperson, Pepukai Chiwewe said he has no idea why CCC public meetings are being prohibited and referred this reporter to the Police whom he said are better placed to answer such a question.
“Our country is a democracy and a meeting is allowed if it is within the confines of the law. I think police are better placed to answer that not a rival political party,” said Chiwewe.
Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo Police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa were unsuccessful as his mobile phone went on unanswered until the time of posting the story.
