POLICE have turned down a request by Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) to hold a meeting today at Mbambangamandla shopping centre in Tsholotsho South, citing security threats around the district.
Responding to an MRP letter notifying the police of the meeting at the venue, a Superintendent M Tandabantu turned down MRP’s notification for security reasons in a letter dated May 17, 2024.
Reacting to the ban, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said the claims by the police lacked truth regarding the security issues.
“I am writing on behalf of MRP in response to your letter dated 17 May, which denies our request to hold a meeting at Mbambangamandla shopping centre in Tsholotsho South on May 21,” Moyo’s reply said.
“We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence citing security threats in and around Tsholotsho as the reason for refusing our request. However, we must express our deep disappointment and concern over the lack of transparency and truthfulness in the ongoing denials of our meeting requests by the police.
“It is regrettable that also on December 29, 2023 a similar flimsy excuse was used to deny us the right to exercise our democratic freedoms.”
Moyo said the police’s actions undermined the principles of democracy and freedom of assembly, while pointing out that the MRP firmly believes that every political party has the right to convene meetings and engage with its members and the public without unjustified hindrances.
“We have diligently followed the legal procedures outlined in the Maintenance of Peace and Order (Mopa) Act [Chapter 11:23] in submitting our application, and we expect fair and unbiased treatment from the authorities,” Moyo said in response to the police.
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He stated that Zimbabwe’s laws are designed to fortify citizens’ rights to articulate, convene peacefully, associate without constraints and traverse the country.
Moyo further argued that despite diligent compliance with notification requirements, timelines and security consultations, the police arbitrarily revoked the clearance for MRP’s policy conference just hours before its scheduled start.
“This sudden cancellation, purportedly due to alleged manpower shortages, appeared to be a pretext, particularly considering the substantial police presence deployed to obstruct the gathering.
“The police as the regulating authority, had initially cleared the conference to take place at Nketa Hall on December 28 and 29, 2023. However, on December 28, over 100 police personnel, including fully armed anti-riot officers and plainclothes agents, were deployed to disrupt the meeting.
“Should the police persist in its arbitrary and clandestine conduct towards political entities, the MRP cautions that future events may be clandestinely conducted, by-passing official reporting channels,” he said.
He urged the police to engage the MRP leadership in an open and constructive dialogue to address genuine security concerns while respecting its rights as a political organisation.
Police are yet to respond to the MRP follow up letter to the ban of their meeting.
