A pressure group, Wabantu Movement Zimbabwe, has notified the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) of its intention to stage a demonstration in Harare on June 29 against abuse, torture and the ill-treatment of citizens as well as the shooting of two workers in Gweru by their Chinese employer.
In a letter dated 25 June 2020 and addressed to S. Matongo, Chief Superintendent Officer Commanding Police Harare Suburban District, one of the leaders of the pressure group, Jim Kunaka, said the protestors will hand over a petition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another one to the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe. Kunaka wrote:
RE: NOTIFICATION TO STAGE A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST ABUSE OF ZIMBABWEANS BY CHINESE FOREIGNERS IN ZIMBABWE ON THE 29th OF JUNE 2020 FROM 800 HOURS TO 1700 HOURS.
This letter seeks to notify your highly esteemed office of our intention to hold a peaceful demonstration against abuse, torture, ill-treatment and latest case of the gunning down of our fellow brothers and sisters by Chinese nationals in our country.
Our demonstration will take place outside the Chinese Embassy in Harare on the 29th of June 2020.
This noble cause is being spearheaded by Wabantu Movement watchdog which seeks to safeguard and ensure that the National Objectives as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the Zimbabwean Constitution are respected and adhered to.
The people will gather at the Africa Unity square which is at the corner of Sam Nujoma and Nelson Mandela Avenue at 0800 Hours, then we will proceed with Sam Nujoma Street situated at the corner of Samora Machel and Sam Nujoma Street.
The people will camp outside the President’s offices, two of our members will hand over the petition to the President.
Once the President has received our petition, we will then proceed and march to the Chinese embassy to hand over another petition to the Ambassador.
We are consciously aware of the Statutory Instrument S.I. 83 of 2020 and we are going to conduct our peaceful demonstration observing social distancing and all members will be wearing face masks to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
To this end, we are going to have marshals who with the help of your office maintain order, discipline and hygiene during the demonstration.
This letter serves as a notification to your office, it is not a request for permission.