Harare – The police have declared illegal a demonstration by the National Constitutional Assembly planned for today setting up the stage for possible clashes with supporters of the civic body which insists it will press ahead with the protest. The assembly, which brings together churches, labour, opposition political parties, student movements, civic and human rights bodies, says the planned protest is to express Zimbabweans’ objection to a proposed new law that will severely restrict non-governmental organisations’ activities in the country. In a letter to the assembly’s chairman Lovemore Madhuku dated August 30, 2004, police superintendent E. Magaya said the demonstrations were not going to be allowed because the organisers had not given enough notification as required under the Public Order and Security Act. Under the security act, Zimbabweans cannot gather in groups of more than two to discuss politics or carry out demonstrations without prior approval of the police. According to Magaya the law requires organisers to seek approval from the police at least four working days before the date they intend to hold political meetings or demonstrations.

Magaya wrote: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 26 August 2004 in connection with the holding of a peaceful demonstration. Be advised that we are not recommending (the demonstration to go ahead).” According to the police officer the law enforcement agency had only received Madhuku’s letter yesterday. A spokeswoman for the NCA, Jessie Majome, a lawyer, said the group would go ahead with the protest because it had sufficiently notified the police as required under the security law. She said: “We only notified police. In any case POSA does not say police can deny people their right to demonstrate. Police cannot bless or curse a protest. All it needs is a notification. And we exactly did that. That they received the letter late is something else.” Police sources earlier this week told ZimOnline that the force was on full alert to thwart today’s planned demonstration. Officers who were either on leave or off duty had been recalled to provide enough manpower to stop the protest. Similar clashes between the police and the NCA have in the past left the civic alliance’s supporters injured and some of its leaders arrested.

From Zim Online (SA), 1 September
Source: WWW.ZwNews.Com