MORGAN Tsvangirai . . . the police have barred him from addressing rallies in all cities and towns

By Regerai Marwezu

MASVINGO – The Zimbabwean government has extended a ban on political rallies and demonstrations in all cities and major towns in a clear sign of rising political tensions in the troubled southern African country. 

In a circular dispatched to police commanders at the weekend, a copy of which was seen by ZimOnline, Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi ordered all senior police officers to implement the ban in all major cities and towns. 

Zimbabwean police banned rallies and demonstrations in the capital Harare and the second city of Bulawayo two weeks ago following some violent clashes between the police and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters in the working class suburb of Highfield. 

The MDC and civic groups have already condemned the ban on rallies in Harare and Bulawayo saying the move amounted to a declaration of a state of emergency by President Robert Mugabe’s government. 

The extension of the ban to all towns and cities will likely stoke up tensions in the southern African country that is already grappling with record inflation of 1 600 percent, surging unemployment and poverty. 

“You are advised that all public, political gatherings and demonstrations in major urban centres under your jurisdiction have been banned. 

"The ban should remain in force until further notice since the measure is meant to protect ordinary citizens and their properties in view of threats by some elements within the opposition to embark on street protests,” read the circular. 

The ban will effectively shut down political space in Zimbabwe with the opposition not being able to campaign or hold rallies in such small towns such as Chiredzi, Karoi, Zvishavane and other rural service centres. 

Contacted for comment yesterday on the circular, Masvingo district’s chief superintendent Lancelot Matange confirmed the directive from Mohadi adding that the police were ready to crush all illegal protests in the city. 

“We will fully comply with the directive from the Minister and we have since banned all political gatherings and demonstrations in Masvingo urban,” said Matange. 

Public notices have already been displayed in several parts of the town advising residents of the ban. 

Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, who head rival factions of the splintered MDC, have both vowed to mobilise Zimbabweans to force Mugabe to embrace sweeping political reforms and abandon plans to extend his 27-year old rule. 

The main workers’ federation, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has it will also call a two-day work boycott on 3 and 4 April to force the government to arrest Zimbabwe’s eight-year old economic recession. - ZimOnline