Zimbabwe High Court strikes out police protest ban

By John Cassim

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) – Zimbabwe’s High Court on Wednesday declared unconstitutional a two-week protest ban in the capital imposed by Harare police last week.

Justice Priscilla Chigumba prohibited police from interfering with the rights of citizens to demonstrate in the city.

Wednesday’s decision comes amid increasing clashes and unrest in the country.

The court said the decree was unprocedural as it came from a police officer instead of parliament and gave the government seven days to rectify the anomaly.

As civil unrest continues to grow in Zimbabwe, a grouping of 18 opposition parties decided to march for electoral reform on Aug. 26.

Zimbabwean police brutally broke up the intended march, resulting in at least 70 citizens being arrested, others beaten and property damaged.

Noting the brutal response by police on the day, another march was organized Sep. 2 but the security forces issued their ban a day earlier.

Amnesty International urged the government to heed the court’s ruling.

"Today's High Court decision is a victory for Zimbabwe's constitutional principles. It sends a clear message to the authorities that the right to protest, as enshrined in the country's constitution, cannot just be stripped away by the state on a whim," said Deprose Muchena, director of Amnesty’s Southern Africa region, in a statement.