In a dramatic U-turn the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has banned the MDC’s 19th anniversary that was slated for the 15th of September Saturday at Gwanzura Stadium.
On Monday, the police had given the greenlight to the opposition party to hold its 19th anniversary celebrations.
The ban follows a cholera outbreak which has so far claimed 21 lives with health officials at Glenview and Budirio clinics saying cholera cases have clocked 3000.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume described the ban as a political move, informed by Zanu PF’s fear of the citizens.
“These illegal attempts by ZRP to cancel events on health grounds are an excuse for ZANU PF’s fear of citizens. They clearly show that President Mnangagwa knows that he lost the election and is operating this country on the bases of martial law and perpetual state of emergency to protect himself from democracy,” he said.
Mafume invalidated the ban on the back of cholera saying the epidemic is contained in specific areas.
“The statement used Cholera as an excuse, although it is clear that this epidemic is currently limited to and contained within specific areas of Harare.”
However, ZRP Senior Assistant Commissioner Charimba said the police has turned the red light on public gatherings to help in alleviating the spread of cholera which has reached alarming levels in the low density suburbs.
“The ZRP wishes to inform members of the public that in light of the declaration of the state of emergency, the police in Harare will not allow any public gatherings.
“The ZRP is appealing to the members of the public to take heed of this warning and corporate as this will assist in alleviating the continuous spread of cholera,” said Charamba.
