The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa had their dreams crushed after cops banned their planned campaign launch rally in Bindura this Saturday. Police said the rally venue was unsuitable and posed security and health threats.
It’s the third CCC rally blocked in just over a week after cops also banned events in Chiredzi and Zaka. Stringent conditions were also imposed on a Masvingo rally, forcing CCC to cancel.
CCC had applied for permission as required under MOPA, but cops gave lame excuses for banning the Bindura rally. They claim the open ground venue is bushy with no roads, water or sewer facilities.And that this poses “high risk security threat”. Cops also claim there’s “high risk of threat to the spread of communicable diseases.”
CCC deputy Ostallos Siziba slammed Zanu PF for running scared ahead of elections. He urged supporters to keep the pressure up. But Zanu PF spin doctor Charamba defended cops, claiming parties must chant slogans only at designated venues and not bus people to rural rallies.
But are cops telling the truth? Or is Zanu PF running scared of Chamisa’s rising popularity ahead of the crunch elections? You decide!
