Chamisa Barred From Launching Tree Planting Programme In Gutu
Police in Gutu have barred opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa from launching his party’s tree planting in Gutu.
The program was scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) however, in a letter dated 12 December 2022 addressed to one Champion Lloyd Mupfudze, the Masvingo East Dispol Chief Superintendent Taurai Joackim Mambure said the event could not go on because another party had applied to hold a meeting in the same ward.
“I Chief Superintendent Taurai Joackim Mambure of the Zimbabwe Republic: Police, being authority for Masvingo East Police District the regulating author covering an area of jurisdiction extending from Shashe River to the North West, Denhere Communal lands to the North, Dewure River to the East and Manjirenji Darn to the South.
“Acknowledge receipt of your notification to hold a tree planting day dated 10/12/22 to be done in Gutu North Constituency, Ward 4, at Takaona Homestead on 15 December 2022 from 1000 hours to 1600 hours which you submitted in terms of Section 7 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act Chapter 11.23. You are being advised that another political party had already made a notification to hold a political meeting on the same date and ward [Ward 41]
“NOW, THEREFORE, I as the Regulating Officer do hereby issue this prohibition notice in terms of section 8(9) of Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11.23], prohibiting the holding of tree planting day scheduled for 15/12/22 in Gutu North Constituency Ward 4, from 1000 hours to 1600 hours,” said Chief Superintendent Mupfudze
He further warned that should anyone knowingly defy the order they are liable to a fine or imprisonment.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared in forms of section 8 111) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11; 23] that any person who knowingly opposes or fails to comply with this prohibition notice shall be guilty of on offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 14 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both such fine and such imprisonment. The Officer in Charge ZRP Gutu is accordingly advised for the necessary monitoring,” read Mupfudze’s letter
CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere confirmed the development saying their lawyers are challenging the ban.
“Our #GreenAgenda team report that @PoliceZimbabwe have purported to ban our mass tree planting initiative scheduled for Gutu tomorrow. Our lawyers are challenging the illegal prohibition. Zanu PF must stop abusing the Police. It’s not a crime to plant trees! Varikukwata! (they are trembling)” posted Mahere on Twitter
