The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Friday urged Zimbabweans to report funerals to the law enforcement agency in the weeks leading up to the 2023 general elections.
Addressing Harare residents, ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said reporting funerals to the police will ensure that they will not be mistaken for political gatherings. NewsDay quoted Nyathi as saying:
If we are at a funeral during elections, it’s better to report to the officer-in-charge and that will be put on record because some neighbours would lie (that there is a political gathering).
There are some people who want to campaign at funerals. Why should you campaign at one’s funeral?
We also expect politicians not to address supporters at people’s homes. If a neighbour complains, we come.
In Zimbabwe, it is an offence to hold a gathering without police permission.
According to Zimfact, in terms of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA), Chapter 11:23, an organisation planning a demonstration or a march must appoint an official convenor and notify the police seven days before the event.
A notice of five days is required before a public meeting. The convenor must give police details of the event, such as; the contact number of the designated convenor, the venue, times, the purpose of the event, the number of marshals, and the anticipated number of participants.
If the convenor of the gatherings does not give this notice, they can be charged and fined or jailed for up to one year.
More: Pindula News