CCC Lawyer Protests Stringent Police Conditions For Rally
The Nelson Chamisa led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has written to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), protesting the strict conditions set for the party’s star rally in Highfields, Harare this Sunday.
Last week ZRP gave CCC permission to hold its rally at Zimbabwe Grounds but warned the party that they would disperse the gathering if the conditions are not met.
Those conditions among others include observance of COVID-19 protocols, a ban on toyi toying, a ban on the busing of people from other constituencies and chanting of party slogans.
On Friday, CCC through lawyer Obey Shava wrote to the police protesting the strict conditions as illegality and demanded a reversal.
In the letter, Shava queried why the police conditions had not been applied to ZANU PF and other political parties such as Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-T. He wrote:
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We are advised that the conditions set in your letter are unconstitutional for the following reasons: to the extent that they prohibit members of our clients from chanting slogans in support of their political party.
Such a prohibition abrogates their right to freedom of assembly and association as provided for in terms of section 58 of the constitution.
To the extent that aforementioned conditions have not been placed upon other political parties, in particular, ZANU PF and MDC-T which held their own rallies recently, such conditions violate the pre-emptory right to equality before the law and right to equal protection and benefit of the law as enshrined under Section 56 of the constitution.
CCC filed an urgent High Court application last night challenging the police order.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, ZANU PF supporters reportedly blocked a rally by CCC candidate for Harare East constituency, Tendai Biti.
This comes after audio recordings of ZANU PF officials allegedly plotting to work with ZRP to disrupt CCC gatherings have also gone viral on various social media platforms.
