Chombo to crush violent demos

Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo yesterday said he supported the prohibition of demonstrations effected in Harare Central Business District by the police and warned that security arms will resolutely safeguard the peace and tranquillity characteristic of Zimbabwe. Opposition political parties under the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) yesterday vowed to disregard the ban.

According to the Mugabe aligned Herald, Chombo last night said that while the Constitution allowed demonstrations, the supreme law also speaks to the need to preserve peace.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs supports the ban or prohibition on demonstrations which has been effected in Harare Central Business District by the ZRP. ''The ban, effective from 16th September to 15 October 2016, has been necessitated by the abuse of freedoms enshrined in the Constitution by some malcontents and opposition political parties in the country," he said.

Dr Chombo slammed Western media, especially CNN, for playing to the gallery by fabricating stories on Zimbabwe for the pleasure of its handlers.

Dr Chombo implored Zimbabweans to remain peaceful by ignoring the opposition call for lawlessness. "Let me assure all Zimbabweans that the ZRP and other security agents will remain resolute in safeguarding the peace and quiet that our country is known for.

The Officer Commanding Harare Central District Chief Superintendent Newbert Saunyama issued a prohibition order yesterday in terms of Section 27 (1) of the POSA prohibiting the holding of all public demonstrations or processions on the basis it was incapacitated to deal with the disorder caused by such events.