Police disperse unsanctioned MDC-T gathering

Farai Kuvirimirwa Herald Reporter

Police yesterday dispersed MDC-T supporters who had gathered for an unsanctioned meeting that was set to be addressed by party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai at Zimbabwe Hall in Highfield whichwas meant to be the first of a series of such meetings dubbed “Town Hall Meetings”. Although the agenda of the meeting, that was supposed to start at 6pm, was unknown, MDC-T activists said it was about the campaign for the adoption of the draft Constitution. But the invitation to the press to cover the event did not mention anything about the draft constitution campaign.

“PM Dr Tsvangirai to address town hall meetings starting at Zimbabwe Hall Highfields (sic) @ 1800hrs. Press invited,” read the invitation.

Analysts wondered why the meeting would start at such an odd hour when all other meetings on the draft constitution were being held during the day.

The meeting had attracted a sizeable number of MDC-T supporters, but about 20 anti-riot police officers arrived at the hall just before it started and ordered everyone to leave.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the meeting could not continue because it was not cleared according to the law.

“According to police officers on the ground, no documents of clearance were given to us because the regulating authority who is the district police officer in Harare South who is designated to clear such meetings under the Public Order and Security Act was not given the notice of intention to hold the meeting,” she said.

“The procedure is supposed to be done and they should have done so before an assessment was done.”

MDC-T Harare provincial spokesperson Senator Obert Gutu claimed they had send documentation for the meeting to the police.

“We were unlawfully dispersed and people had gathered for Prime Minister Tsvangirai to address them at the provincial launch of the ‘Vote Yes’ campaign,” he said.

“We planned two more such meetings with another one in Glen View tomorrow (today).”
But Sen Gutu could not give a satisfactory answer as to why the campaign for the draft constitution was being held during the night at a public place.

“For the police to say they dispersed the meeting because it was in the evening it would be a frivolous excuse,” he said.

“I do not think it has anything to do with time because we decided for 6pm because many people would have returned from work.”

MDC-T has in the past used such meetings to stir violence, with its supporters going on a rampage afterwards.

Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations are agreed that their supporters should vote for the draft constitution in the referendum expected next Saturday. The campaigns for the draft have been going on well and being held during the day.