BULAWAYO – Police have imposed unofficial curfew in some parts of the country, illegally restricting movement of people in the evenings, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) said at the weekend. 

ZimRights said the police forced people to stay indoors after dusk reportedly in order to stop them from using the night to campaign for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party as next months’ key elections loom closer. 

The rights group cited the suburbs of Manyame Park, Zengeza and St Mary’s all in the opposition stronghold of Chitungwiza city where it said it had received the most reports of police imposing unofficial curfew, especially on youths. 

“Some (police) officers operating within these areas are taking it upon themselves to impose unofficial curfew on the youths. Some concerned youths complain that some police details are harassing and ordering them to stay indoors after dusk, accusing the youths of organising opposition meetings as if it is a crime,” ZimRights said in a statement. 

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena was not immediately available for comment on the matter. 

Under the government’s Public Order and Security Act, Zimbabweans are required to first seek permission from the police before gathering in public in groups of more than three to discuss politics. 

The Act was however recently relaxed under a raft of legal reforms agreed between the government and the opposition under mediation of South African President Thabo Mbeki and meant to ensure conditions for free and fair elections.  

The amendments allow groups or individuals denied permission to organise political meetings or demonstrations to appeal the ban before a magistrate, while the police are also required to provide reasons for banning meetings. 

But human rights and pro-democracy activists have criticised the amendments as piecemeal and inadequate. 

Zimbabwe holds local government, parliamentary and presidential election on March 29. 

Analysts say an unfair playing field coupled with political violence and intimidation of opponents guarantees President Robert Mugabe’s government victory at the polls despite clear evidence it has failed to break a vicious inflation cycle that has left consumers impoverished and the economy in deep crisis. – ZimOnline