Police in Murewa District have blocked the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) from holding a rally at Nhakiwa Business Centre in Uzumba this Sunday.
Under the provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, political parties and civic groups are obliged to notify the police before holding rallies, meetings, marches et cetera.
Chief Superintendent M. Masvivi of Murewa District Police on 09 February advised CCC’s coordinator in Uzumba Constituency that their planned rally cannot go ahead saying their notification does not fully comply with the law. Wrote Chief Superintendent Masvivi:
NOTIFICATION TO HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING AT NHAKIWA BUSINESS CENTRE, UZUMBA ON 12/02/23 FROM 1000 HOURS TO 1400 HOURS.
1. I acknowledge receipt of your notification dated 07/02/23 submitted through Mutawatawa Police Station in terms of Section 7(1)(b) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Chapter 11:23 notifying of the above-stated public gathering.
2. Thank you for writing to us but be informed that the gathering can not go ahead as the notification does not fully comply with the requirements of the law in particular Section 7(1)(b) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Chapter 11:23 which governs notices of public meetings.
3. Your cooperation is highly anticipated.