Zanzibar’s police chief banned all political rallies and meetings on Friday until further notice because he said his force was too busy with other duties, just six months before general elections and despite the recent deployment of thousands of reinforcements.
George Kizugutu, head of the police on the semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, said ”the police force is busy working with other crucial national assignments, so it wouldn’t be practical to add another burden to the force.”
Voter registration in the most populous, and politically tense, part of Zanzibar was set to begin April 4. He called on all political parties to respect his ban on any kind of gathering, even though legally he does not have the authority to stop such activities.
Kizugutu’s order follows the deployment of thousands of police reinforcements last week and their sudden appearance on the streets of Zanzibar’s main Stone Town in riot gear. Stone Town is an opposition stronghold.
Tanzania’s Inspector General of Police, Harun Mahita, said the deployment – code-named ”Operation Dondola” – was necessary to provide security during voter registration. A dondola is a bee-like insect that has a very painful bite.
Under Zanzibari law, organisers must notify the police of any public gathering so that security can be provided, but police do not have the authority to ban political activities. Salim Bimani, a spokesman for the opposition Civic United Front, dismissed Kizugutu’s statement, insisting it was unconstitutional.
”Where is the democracy here … why does the police create tension in Zanzibar?” he asked. Political tension has run high since competing rallies by the front and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party turned violent March 7 and police began arresting opposition party members.
Police summoned the Civic United Front’s leader, Seif Shariff Hamad, Thursday to explain why the March 7 clashes took place and ruling-party supporters attempted to storm his house and attack him, Bimani said. General elections are scheduled for Oct. 23.
The last elections, in 2000, were marred by violence and irregularities. – Sapa-AP