NRZ peaceful demos to go ahead

The High Court has granted National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers permission to stage peaceful demonstrations in Bulawayo, Harare, Gweru and Mutare over non-payment of salaries and interdicted police from interfering.

In August, the police barred NRZ unions - Zimbabwe Railways Artisans' Union, Railways Associations of Engineers and Railways Association of Yard Operating - from demonstrating in the four cities claiming the protests were likely to turn violent.

In Bulawayo, the workers had intended to march from the main railway station to the Large City Hall car park, but police said "information at hand shows that there is strong apprehension towards groups opposed to the government (sic). Hooligans may join in the procession with intent of disrupting the whole process".

However, Harare High Court judge Justice Charles Hungwe has now given NRZ workers the green light to reorganise their protests.