HARARE – Police have defended their decision to use teargas to disperse Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters in Masvingo on Sunday while claiming they were under orders to stop political parties from holding “night” rallies.
The ugly skirmishes started just after party leader Nelson Chamisa had finished his address.
Police have come under fire for alleged high-handed handling of the opposition gathering and firing choking smoke at opposition supporters, something that also affected residents in Old Railways and Chesvingo suburbs.
In a statement on Monday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi sought to absolve the organisation from any blame, saying the opposition gathering started out of the allotted time and was drifting into a night rally.
Police said one of their operatives sustained injuries during clashes.
The CCC rally was sanctioned but only started at a time it was billed to end, according to police.
“Firstly, the Regulating Authority had sanctioned the CCC rally at the stadium as duly notified by the party’s convenor, Martin Mureri, for 1000 hours to 1600 hours.
“However, the CCC leadership reneged on their notification times. Their rally actually started at 1645 hours with an address by the party leader Nelson Chamisa.
“After an hour the police engaged CCC’s National Organising Secretary, Amos Chibaya and his team who openly apologised for their noncompliance with the rally notification times.
“They agreed with the Regulating Authority to dismiss the crowd due to safety and security concerns over night rallies.
“Suddenly, the crowd became rowdy and started throwing stones at the police officers while threatening to set on fire, two police vehicles. One police officer sustained injuries as a result of the stones attack.
“The police had no option but to use tear smoke to disperse the violent crowd.
“This was safely done with no injuries to the public or any damage to property.”
Nyathi said night rallies were a security threat to the public.
“We urge political party leaders to properly organise their public gathering activities and avoid compromising the movement and security of the public by hosting multiple rallies in a single day, with some spilling into the night.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police appeals to political parties and their leaders to strictly adhere to the time frames specified in their rally notifications to the Regulating Authority in terms of the provisions of the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act, Chapter 11:23.
“This will assist in the effective maintenance of law and order in the country.”
