Opposition MDC has vowed that it will continue with the planned demonstrations scheduled to begin in Harare despite the police serving them with a prohibition order against the protests.
Police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi, Nyathi said that police was expecting that the demonstrations were going to degenerate into chaos. Resultantly, the demonstrations had to be banned. He said:
The police will be conducting patrols, surveillance, stop-and-searches to ensure law and order is maintained in all areas of the country.
In response, the MDC said that they would proceed with the demos as planned since they had obliged with the law by notifying the police in time and assuring that the demonstr4ations will be violent free.
The party intends to protest against a number of ills including corruption, unemployment, power and fuel shortages, cash shortages, lack of “genuine political reforms”, and politicisation and abuse of food aid.
The demonstrations come amidst abductions of MDC members and human rights defenders.
More: BBC News