News / National
NERA demo against Grace Mugabe immunity at SA embassy in Harare
30 Aug 2017 at 12:14hrs | Views
Zimbabwe police have summoned organisers of a peaceful protest which had been planned for this morning outside the South African embassy over Pretoria's decision to grant President Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace, diplomatic immunity.
Information obtained by indicates police visited the offices of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) offices before asking officials to accompany them to the charge office at Harare Central police station.
Police are said to be reluctant to authorise the peaceful protest, according to officials, fearing to embarrass the First Lady on the same day that Zanu-PF is holding a solidarity march for her after she escaped arrest in South Africa for assaulting a model Gabriella Engels.
Speaking to News24 while at the police station, Davis Mukusha, a Nera official who is one of the organisers, said it appeared police wanted to stop the peaceful protest which had been slated for 10:00 to 1pm at the South African embassy in Harare.
By 10:30 the protest had not started as officials were still in talks with police. "A while ago they came to our offices and tensely cautioned us against marching or else there will be consequences," Mukusha told News24.
Nera officially advised police of the planned demonstration on Monday this week. But police documents seen by News24 indicated police wanted the organisers of the protest to make a fresh application, citing the Public Order Security Act.
According to the documents, Nera needed to notify authorities at seven days prior to the protest. But Nera said they intended to defy the police's directive.
A handful of people waited the start.
"We are seeking clarification on the response they just gave us this morning," said Mukusha.
"But that won't shift goalposts. We are going to the embassy with or without the clearance in 30 minutes." More to follow.
Information obtained by indicates police visited the offices of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) offices before asking officials to accompany them to the charge office at Harare Central police station.
Police are said to be reluctant to authorise the peaceful protest, according to officials, fearing to embarrass the First Lady on the same day that Zanu-PF is holding a solidarity march for her after she escaped arrest in South Africa for assaulting a model Gabriella Engels.
Speaking to News24 while at the police station, Davis Mukusha, a Nera official who is one of the organisers, said it appeared police wanted to stop the peaceful protest which had been slated for 10:00 to 1pm at the South African embassy in Harare.
By 10:30 the protest had not started as officials were still in talks with police. "A while ago they came to our offices and tensely cautioned us against marching or else there will be consequences," Mukusha told News24.
According to the documents, Nera needed to notify authorities at seven days prior to the protest. But Nera said they intended to defy the police's directive.
A handful of people waited the start.
"We are seeking clarification on the response they just gave us this morning," said Mukusha.
"But that won't shift goalposts. We are going to the embassy with or without the clearance in 30 minutes." More to follow.
Source - newsday
