‘At Law, ‘War Veterans & ZCTU Don’t Need Police Permission For Meetings’-MDC-T Chief Whip Innocent Gonese

MDC-T Chief Whip Innocent Gonese has questioned the legality of the police interfering with the meetings conducted by the War Veterans associations and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions indicating that at law the two organisations are not required regulated by law to ask for permission to hold meetings from police.

Speaking in parliament Gonese said he wanted  find out from the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs whether the regulating authorities under the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) are acquainted with the provisions of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA); whereby when notification is made to the police, it is not an application for permission to hold either a public meeting or a public gathering.

“Secondly, are they aware that organisations such as the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union or the National War Veterans Association are not actually required to apply or to notify the police but can go ahead with their meeting?” he asked.

Home affairs deputy Minister Obedingwa Mguni said  the police is there to provide peace and order in the country.

“So, at any gathering with people that exceed 25, they have the right to know what is happening in that area so as to secure it. However, on what he quoted, I would like to go back and make some findings then come back with an accurate answer,” he said. By Stephen Jakes- Source-.bulawayo24