OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Friday 10.00PM.
THE Zimbabwean government on Friday gazetted sweeping new regulations to control rallies and marches, intended to increase the state’s control over political expression.
In future, organisers will have to seek police permission in writing a week prior to events, specifying their purpose, and the business and details of proposed speakers, now limited to three.
Organisers will also have to ensure that speeches can be recorded, and gatherings must disperse within 30 minutes of the proposed finishing time.
The regulations have been issued under the Law and Order Maintenance Act, which dates from the era of white rule and was used against those now using it themselves. It is soon to replaced with a new public order and security act.
In 1994, the Supreme Court found that a ban on public processions except with prior police permission similar to that just promulgated breaches the constitutional rights of freedom of expression and association, and that the controls are too sweeping.
The 1994 ruling followed a challenge by six trade union leaders arrested for leading a demonstration protesting economic reforms when police had refused them permission.
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