BULAWAYO Agenda has condemned police in Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North, for refusing to grant it authority to meet with villagers, describing the move as unconstitutional.
STAFF REPORTER
The civic organisation had applied for police clearance to hold a public meeting at Ndlovu business centre, a few kilometres from the resort town last Thursday.
Acting chief Bishop Matata was supposed to be one of the speakers at the event meant to discuss the eminent eviction of Ndlovu villagers to pave way for a housing co-operative.
However, Victoria Falls police turned down the application, but did not cite any reasons.
Butholezwe Nyathi, a Bulawayo Agenda programmes officer, said the ban violated their rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
“We condemn the apparent blanket ban of Bulawayo Agenda civic activities by the police,” he said. “We regard the disapproval of our engagement with villagers as a gross violation of the freedom of assembly as enshrined in the new Constitution
“We call upon the government to respect, protect and fulfil the villagers’ right to shelter.”
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No comment could be obtained from the Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese.
The ban came less than four months after Victoria Falls police arrested Bulawayo Agenda officials and detained them for two nights on charges of conducting a public meeting without notifying the cops.
Nyathi was arrested along with Mmeli Dube, Ntombiyezansi Thozwana Mabunda and Thulani Moyo for allegedly holding an illegal meeting at Ndlovu business centre.
Abameli Human Rights Lawyers condemned their arrest as not only unconstitutional, but an abuse of authority by the police.
