Harare (New Ziana)- Forty supporters of the main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) were on Tuesday arrested in Harare’s Highfield high density suburb for holding an unsanctioned car campaign rally, police have said.

In a statement, police said the 40 CCC supporters were arrested for conducting a car rally instead of the approved normal rally.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of 40 Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) activists in Machipisa this afternoon (Tuesday) for contravening provisions of the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act, Chapter 11:23 (MOPA),” police said.

“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”, said police.

According to police, a ‘concerned’ citizen made an official report to them resulting in them effecting arrests.
“Police reacted and arrested 40 CCC activists who were led by Gladmore Hakata. Hakata actually scuffled with the police officers as they effected arrests.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has also recovered the three trucks and radio speakers which were being used by the CCC supporters in the unsanctioned car rally,” it said.

The police urged 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.

New Ziana