Police quash church protests

Heavily armed riot police yesterday quashed a demonstration by churches despite them having a court allowing them to proceed with the protest.

The church organisations wanted to march in solidarity with the long suffering masses and also to pile pressure on government to address the deepening crisis.

Police roughed up the church leaders among them ZDD leader Ancelimo Magaya and dispersed a gathered crowd just a few steps after starting the march.

A high court order was issued on august 18 specified that the churches had a right to hold public gatherings without notifying authorities.