The much anticipated Marondera rally for Citizens Coalition for Change is going ahead in spite of Police ban.
The party’s deputy spokesperson, Gift Ostalos Siziba took to social media to announce that the rally is still going on.
Yellow Thread
1] Yellow Citizens I put you into confidence, pertaining legal & political developments aimed at disrupting our #YellowSaturday rally in Marondera tomorrow.
2. In writing, our local Citizens Champions in Marondera, as per the dictates of MOPA law, notified the authorities of two separate programs, i.e. a mini car rally (to mobilise support) & an actual rally at Rudaka Stadium
3. In a deliberate conflation of two separate issues, the authorities wrote back, disapproving the Star Rally, on the basis of the “mini car rally” campaign which they had been separately notified of.
4. After failing to convince the police irregardless , we subsequently instructed our lawyers to engage them. Obey shava had a meeting with the police in Marondera & specifically allayed their “concerns” over the mini car rally.
5. The police responded in writing, advising that we had omitted to give them the details of the second convenor, i.e for the Star Rally. This was incorrect as we had already supplied the details. Find attached evidence.
6. Out of abundance of caution, our lawyers furnished the police with the requested details as appearing on annexture 2 of the letter dated 11 March 2022. The police accepted the letter, initially agreeing to meet our lawyers at 3pm this afternoon.
7. Later on, our lawyers were advised that the meeting would not proceed due to other commitments by the supervising police authority, but most importantly, they were notified that should anything arise out of their earlier engagement, they would be advised in writing.
8. It then follows that since our lawyers provided everything requested, even though a formal meeting wasn’t held, the official position remains that our rally will go ahead as previously planned & we certainly will proceed accordingly, tomorrow.
9. Pursuant of all remedies, our lawyers @bamuj & @obeyshava1 had already approached the High Court, on an urgent basis, in response of the initially rally “ban” before they eventually engaged the police directly, providing all requested information. That particular case was yet to be heard.
10. It is clear to us, that the behaviour of the police, exposes a hidden hand. It would seem like they are behaving as per directives from elsewhere. The only concern for us, is that we have satisfied all requirements & will thus proceed with our plans.
11. As you may have become aware, similar challenges are being faced for all other Yellow Rallies slated for the rest of next week. There is clear logic to this madness, which will be deliberately met with clear resistance. We won’t succumb to lawfare.
12. Tomorrow morning, we the citizens of Zimbabwe are converging in Marondera, to turn the city Yellow. As far as we are concerned, its all systems go. The Citizens Champion In Chief is raring to go. The citizens will converge.
Earlier today, the Zimbabwe Republic Police had banned the mini-car rally around the Rudhaka Stadium.
The police had cited that the rally did not meet the standards expected by MOPA.
Following the ban, the Citizens Coalition for Change took to court to fight the decision by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“J@bamujm has on behalf of @CCCZimbabwe filed urgent application at High Court seeking to overturn @PoliceZimbabwe ban of their Marondera rally scheduled for Saturday. ZRP invoked provisions of MOPA by telling @CCCZimbabwe that its notification is invalid,”
