MPs deplore police ban on opposition rallies

Opposition parliamentarians and lawyers on Tuesday deplored a police ban imposed on Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) political rallies in Chitungwiza, about 20 km outside Harare, saying it was "immaterial" and motivated by jealousy, the 'Daily News' said on Wednesday. Tafadzwa Musekiwa and Job Sikhala, MDC parliamentarians said the ban would be challenged through an urgent High Court application, which they were in the process of filing.

MDC national youth chairman Nelson Chamisa was quoted as saying: "We are not going to accept that ban and we will hold rallies as and when we want in the high-density suburbs, rural areas and townships. The fact that ZANU-PF has got nothing to tell the people should not be used as a reason to ban other parties from meeting the people. We are a peace-loving party and we will continue to exercise our right to freedom of association as enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution." The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said in a statement the reasons given by the police for banning MDC rallies were "unreasonable".

Meanwhile, news reports said this week that 15 people were injured on Saturday night in surrounding villages near Masvingo after the police support unit stormed the area and began assaulting villagers. Witnesses were quoted as saying that police in riot gear descended and "ransacked" bottle stores and houses, claiming they were conducting their normal duties. Worry Katandika, a villager, said: "Police just came and started beating up people. I was manhandled before being assaulted by police officers using baton sticks. Some elderly people were forced to flee as the officers indiscriminately assaulted people."