In a bid to maintain public order and safety ahead of the 2023 polls, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested a total of 40 members of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens (CCC) for contravening provisions of the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act, Chapter 11:23 (MOPA).
Arrested CCC members are currently detained at Glenview 1 police station, party national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere told New.Zimbabwe.com.
In a statement, Police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi said the 40 breached peace regulations by chanting party slogans in unauthorized locations.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of 40 Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) activists in Machipisa this afternoon for contravening provisions of the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act, Chapter 11:23 (MOPA).
“Circumstances are that the CCC convenor, Lawrence Materege notified the local Regulating Authority for Harare South on their rally set for Churu Farm on 15th August 2023 from 1000 hours to 1600 hours.
“The convenor and Gladmore Hakata then decided to divert from the notified rally at Churu Farm and went on a car rally procession from Glen View area into High Glen Road, Main Street, Machipisa Road into
“Highfield suburb and stopped at the OK Machipisa traffic lights while openly blocking traffic. They started to chant party slogans and singing. A concerned citizen made an official report to the police,’ reads the statement.
The statement further indicated that ZRP managed to recover three trucks and radio speakers which were being used by the CCC supporters in the unsanctioned activity.
ZRP also emphasized their commitment to upholding the law and preserving public order during the election period.
The statement reads: “The police continue to implore political party convenors, their leaders and supporters to comply with the provisions of MOPA and to strictly stick to the rally venues and times notified to the local regulating authorities for the purpose of maintaining law and order in the country
