By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
A coalition of political parties has filed an urgent application to the High Court challenging the recent two-week ban on demonstrations in Harare, and the matter will be heard before Justice Priscilla Chigumba on Monday.
Government, through the police, last week banned protests in central Harare till 16 September, following a wave of demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe’s government that turned violent.
The order was gazetted as Statutory Instrument 101A of 2016 and was issued by Chief Superintendent Newbert Saunyama, in his capacity as the officer commanding police in the Harare Central district.
Political parties combined with civil society and activists to make the High Court application, and they involved formations under the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA), Harare resident Sten Zvorwadza and the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA).
The applicants are seeking an order to suspend the statutory instrument and to interdict the police from unlawfully interfering with the rights of citizens to demonstrate or petition as provided under Section 59 of the constitution.
Tendai Biti, a constitutional lawyer and head of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is representing the applicants who also want the police to continue processing applications to demonstrate.
Saunyama, police boss Augustine Chihuri, Home Affairs minister, Ignatius Chombo and Attorney General, Prince Machaya, are cited as respondents.
On behalf of the applicants, Biti said the ban on protests in Harare will affect NERA’s demonstration scheduled for 9 September. Nehanda Radio
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