News / National
Mnangagwa's govt quakes over CCC protests
24 Oct 2023 at 06:08hrs | Views
In anticipation of planned flash protests by the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), which disputes the results of the August 23 and 24 harmonized elections, the government has heightened the alert status of its state security apparatus.
In several urban areas, Zimbabweans woke up to an increased police presence on major roads leading to central business districts. Police were conducting vehicle searches for weapons, and public transport vehicles were forced to offload passengers at roadblocks.
The CCC had announced plans to launch protests in Bulawayo, objecting to the recall of its legislators by self-proclaimed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu. However, the police banned the scheduled demonstrations.
The CCC had sought permission from the police to hold a peaceful demonstration to petition the Minister of State for Bulawayo Province. Still, the police deemed the notification to be non-compliant with the provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.
The CCC suggested that the government's and police's responses indicate panic on the part of the regime and reaffirmed its commitment to finding ways to express its views.
The opposition party has called on its supporters to sign a petition denouncing the recalls as "unconstitutional" and "disrespectful" to the electorate. The CCC claimed that Tshabangu, who initiated the recalls, was not a party member. The Speaker of the National Assembly and the Local Government and Public Works minister were also accused of recalling elected officials based on fraudulent letters from Tshabangu, who has recalled 15 CCC MPs and 17 councillors.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has also criticized the recalls and called for the repeal of the law allowing them, suggesting that they are an attempt to stifle the opposition.
The CCC has taken the matter to court, while Tshabangu remains adamant about his authority as a bona fide party interim secretary-general with powers to recall elected officials.
In several urban areas, Zimbabweans woke up to an increased police presence on major roads leading to central business districts. Police were conducting vehicle searches for weapons, and public transport vehicles were forced to offload passengers at roadblocks.
The CCC had announced plans to launch protests in Bulawayo, objecting to the recall of its legislators by self-proclaimed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu. However, the police banned the scheduled demonstrations.
The CCC had sought permission from the police to hold a peaceful demonstration to petition the Minister of State for Bulawayo Province. Still, the police deemed the notification to be non-compliant with the provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.
The CCC suggested that the government's and police's responses indicate panic on the part of the regime and reaffirmed its commitment to finding ways to express its views.
The opposition party has called on its supporters to sign a petition denouncing the recalls as "unconstitutional" and "disrespectful" to the electorate. The CCC claimed that Tshabangu, who initiated the recalls, was not a party member. The Speaker of the National Assembly and the Local Government and Public Works minister were also accused of recalling elected officials based on fraudulent letters from Tshabangu, who has recalled 15 CCC MPs and 17 councillors.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has also criticized the recalls and called for the repeal of the law allowing them, suggesting that they are an attempt to stifle the opposition.
The CCC has taken the matter to court, while Tshabangu remains adamant about his authority as a bona fide party interim secretary-general with powers to recall elected officials.
Source - newsday
