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Laurel Murangaridzirayi, [email protected]

FORTY CCC members were on Tuesday arrested for allegedly conducting an unsanctioned rally and blocking traffic at Machipisa Shopping Centre in Highfield suburb in Harare.

In a statement, National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the CCC members are being charged for violating provisions of the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of 40 Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) activists in Machipisa this afternoon for contravening provisions of the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act, Chapter 11:23 (MOPA),” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the opposition party members were supposed to hold a rally at Churu Farm outside the capital, but they diverted and embarked on a car rally procession from Glenview to Highfield suburb.

“Circumstances are that the CCC convener, Lawrence Materege notified the local Regulating Authority for Harare South on their rally set for Churu Farm on 15 August 2023 from 10 am to 4pm,” he said.

“The convener and Gladmore Hakata then decided to divert from the notified rally at Churu Farm and went on a car rally procession from the Glen View area into High Glen Road, Main Street, and Machipisa Road into Highfield suburb and stopped at the OK Machipisa traffic lights while openly blocking traffic.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said upon arrival at Machipisa Shopping Centre, the CCC members started chanting slogans as they disrupted a smooth flow of traffic.

A concerned resident reported to the police leading to the opposition party members’ arrest.

“They started to chant party slogans as they sang and a concerned citizen made an official report to the police. Our officers reacted and arrested 40 CCC activists who were led by Gladmore Hakata who actually scuffled with the police officers as they effected arrests,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Police recovered trucks and radio speakers that were used for the unsanctioned rally by the opposition party members.
Asst Comm Nyathi urged political parties to comply with the law as the country heads towards the election on August 23.

“As police, we continue to implore political party conveners, their leaders, and supporters to comply with the provisions of MOPA and to strictly stick to the rally venues and times notified to the local regulating authorities for the purpose of maintaining law and order in the country,” he said.