MDC-T in illegal meetings

This follows the recent arrest of an MDC-T official Taurai Maravanyika (39) of Mbare in Harare after he allegedly convened an illegal meeting with over 100 party supporters.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said police received information that Maravanyika who is employed by the city council and the other supporters were gathered at house number 134 Vito Street, National in Mbare.

“They were conducting an illegal meeting, chanting slogans and were approached by the police. They were questioned and asked to produce a notice from the local regulating authority but they had none,” he said.

Maravanyika, believed to have been the leader, was then arrested.
Chief Supt Nyathi warned political parties against engaging into unsanctioned night meetings which compromises the safety and security of other residents.

In February, police said their operations were guided by intelligence and they had it on good authority that “very unpleasant developments” were taking place countrywide.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said it was not a secret that there were laws governing the activities of individuals, groups of people and political parties.

“Information at hand points to the fact that some political parties have resorted to unorthodox methods of gathering in violation of the laid-down procedures as clearly detailed in the Public Order and Security Act.

“Groups of as many as 40-50 people are gathering in the middle of the night in pursuance of unknown political agendas.
“This is not only illegal under Posa in that no notice of intention to gather would have been made to the police, but it is also risky for those involved as anything unsavoury could happen under the cover of darkness.”

Snr Asst Comm. Charamba warned people aligned to any political party to desist from holding such meetings.
“We are aware of people’s rights to movement and assembly, but these rights are not absolute. The same laws that allow people to enjoy the rights to movement and assembly also provide certain clauses that demand the adherence to certain procedures in order to enjoy the given rights.”