Heavy police presence in Highfield after banned weekend rally

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 February 2007

There are reports that riot police are patrolling the high-density area of Highfield in Harare after they used teargas and water cannons to violently block a ‘star’ rally on Sunday organised by the Tsvangirai MDC. Our sources on the ground said street patrols and armoured trucks were still visible in some areas around the main shopping centre. The mood is still tense but calm. Running battles with police led to 122 arrests. There are also unconfirmed reports that 3 people died in the ensuing chaos.

The national organising secretary for the Tsvangirai MDC Elias Mudzuri denied reports in the state controlled media that party supporters attending the rally had started the violence. He said the accusations were “absolute nonsense.” Police had denied permission for the rally on the grounds that there were not enough personnel. But on the day they were present in large numbers. Mudzuri said some supporters have reported that police used live ammunition to disperse the crowd.

Several Tsvangirai MDC officials who were arrested ahead of the event are still in custody. Among them are secretary general Tendai Biti who was arrested Saturday at the High Court on allegations that he organised other demonstrations which took place Friday. MP Paul Madzore and Last Maengahama are also in custody. Mudzuri said the police have not brought them to court because they have no charges to pursue. The defiant organising secretary thanked the Tsvangirai MDC supporters for braving the police attacks Sunday and for remaining resolute against a brutal regime. Mudzuri called on all Zimbabweans, including ZANU-PF supporters and members of the army and police, to join their common journey to end violence and conduct free and fair elections. He said the incidents Sunday had shown the ruling party where the public stands and who they support.

Mudzuri explained that the head of police for Harare ran away and refused to be served a High Court order issued by Judge Anna Maria Gowora, calling for the police not to interfere with the rally. The MDC were forced to serve the order at the police headquarters in Harare. But despite this the police proceeded to assault rally goers, some of whom had copies of the actual High Court order.

The Tsvangirai MDC had applied for permission from the High Court to hold this rally launching their 2008 presidential campaign, despite Robert Mugabe’s plan to move the elections to 2010. Jessie Majome and Selby Hwacha, lawyers for the Tsvangirai MDC, said they were making another urgent application seeking the release of Biti and the others in police custody.