THE move by Bulawayo police to block a memorial service for Gukurahundi victims at the weekend clearly shows that the law enforcement agents still live in the past.
It’s almost a year since Zimbabweans approved a new Constitution in a historic 2013 referendum after decades of struggle.
The new charter that replaced the heavily amended Lancaster House Constitution guarantees freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
Admittedly, a number of obnoxious laws used by the government in the past to clamp down on dissent such as the Public Order and Security Act (Posa) remain.
However, the conduct of the police and other security organs need to reflect the new dispensation ushered in by the introduction of a home-grown supreme law.
On Saturday, police details blocked Bulawayo residents who wanted to conduct a prayer meeting in memory of the Gukurahundi victims at a city church.
The residents led by former archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church’s Bulawayo Diocese, Pius Ncube, had initially been granted permission by police to hold the prayers.
In a surprising U-turn, a group of police officers who turned up at the venue claimed they had received intelligence reports the residents actually wanted to hold a demonstration instead of a meeting.
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The new Constitution offers police a golden opportunity to break from the force’s ugly past and to allow freedom of expression. Political will is very essential in this transformation and police chiefs should be seen leading the process.
The new government should also take over from where the previous coalition left and immediately repeal or amend laws such as Posa that are used to stifle people’s freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
Zanu PF played a key role in the drafting of the new Constitution enacted last May and its government should ensure that the wide range of human rights provided under the Declaration of Rights (Chapter 4) are respected.
