A blanket ban on political rallies in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, has been lifted although demonstrations will still need prior authorisation, police said on Friday.
The temporary banning order was issued on February 21, with authorities claiming that protests could lead to an outbreak of rioting, but national police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena said the situation had now calmed down.
”We have lifted the prohibition orders that had been issued in terms of the Public Order and Security Act,” he said.
However, he said that the relaxation did not mean that opponents of veteran President Robert Mugabe could simply stage protests at will.
”The lifting of the ban on holding of political rallies is not a sanction to do anything without permission,” he added.
”People will still need to approach the regulating authority from their area for permission to hold rallies or demonstrations.”
He said those who want to hold their campaign rallies can do so, but they should follow procedures under the law.
Members of Mugabe’s security forces assaulted main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and dozens of his supporters in March when they tried to circumvent the ban by staging what they termed a prayer rally in a Harare township.
The authorities have rarely given permission for the opposition to demonstrate either in Harare or other parts of the country against Mugabe, who has been in power since independence in 1980.
Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change has been arguing that an end to the legislation forcing parties to get clearance for their rallies must be lifted ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections planned for next year. — AFP
