Zimbabwe's top police official, Stephen Mutamba, says he can't approve or block the planned protests. His response came after citizens told him they wanted to march against the government all across the country tomorrow, March 20. These protesters blame President Emmerson Mnangagwa for high jobless rates and the failing economy.
Mutamba wrote back to these citizens on March 18 in a message he also shared online. He made it clear they sent their notice to the wrong office. The citizens had written to him on March 14, saying they wanted to tell the Joint Operations Command about their peaceful nationwide protest plans.
The Joint Operations Command brings together leaders from the army, air force, prisons, intelligence services, and police. This group oversees all security matters throughout Zimbabwe. Mutamba explained that laws don't give him any power to control public gatherings or demonstrations.
He pointed to the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act which clearly states how citizens must exercise their rights to protest. Mutamba asked the concerned citizens and anyone speaking for them to make sure they followed Zimbabwe's laws completely. He offered no further guidance beyond following legal requirements.
Mutamba wrote back to these citizens on March 18 in a message he also shared online. He made it clear they sent their notice to the wrong office. The citizens had written to him on March 14, saying they wanted to tell the Joint Operations Command about their peaceful nationwide protest plans.
The Joint Operations Command brings together leaders from the army, air force, prisons, intelligence services, and police. This group oversees all security matters throughout Zimbabwe. Mutamba explained that laws don't give him any power to control public gatherings or demonstrations.
He pointed to the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act which clearly states how citizens must exercise their rights to protest. Mutamba asked the concerned citizens and anyone speaking for them to make sure they followed Zimbabwe's laws completely. He offered no further guidance beyond following legal requirements.
