Bulawayo churches win historic high court decision

By Tererai Karimakwenda
22 May 2006

A high court decision announced late last Friday has been hailed as historic by officials from the Christian Alliance and church groups in Bulawayo. A high court judge ruled that they had the legal right to go ahead with a planned procession in remembrance of the people internally displaced by Operation Murambatsvina a year ago. The event had been banned by the police who claimed they did not have enough manpower to control thousands of people. But the procession took place peacefully and officials altered their route slightly as stipulated by the courts. This was the first time a judge had ruled against the police in a case involving a planned public gathering.

Pastor Lucky Moyo told us the occasion was joyful and there were many meaningful messages. He said speakers included church officials and testimonials by internally displaced victims of Murambatsvina. He said the theme was always to make people aware that the victims are still suffering. Pastor Moyo added that it is not only the demolitions that are causing suffering but that the quality of life in every sector had deteriorated.

On Saturday coordinator Useni Sibanda told us there was a heavy presence of uniformed police and intelligence agents in plain clothes at the march in Bulawayo. But despite all that people sang and danced through Bulawayo streets. Sibanda said this court decision was important because all other space has been closed by the government. He believes it is the nature of the church’s work that allows it to be last pillar of defence.