Blessing Zulu
6 December 2002
IN an attempt to clamp down on simmering dissent in workers' ranks, the Zimbabwe Republic Police disrupted a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) meeting earlier this week under the Public Order and Security Act.
ZCTU secretary-general Wellington Chibhebhe said the meeting had been scheduled for Harare Gardens on Wednesday but was disrupted by riot police. The workers wanted to discuss several issues, among them the Labour Bill, the 2003 budget and the economic meltdown.
"When they blocked us from holding the meeting we later decided to convene at Gorlon House for a briefing and, as the workers were trickling in, the riot squad scaled the security fence and pounced on the unsuspecting workers and brutally assaulted them," said Chibhebhe.
"Collin Gwiyo, my deputy, was arrested together with some of our members and taken to Harare Central Police station where they were released only after our lawyer's intervention," he said.
Chibhebhe said the police wanted to intimidate the workers.
"This is a way of trying to intimidate us. We are a mandate-driven organisation and we will not bow to this wider strategy to break our contact with the workers," he said.
He accused the police of deliberately trying to frustrate them each time they notified them of an impending meeting.
"We followed all the procedures but the police as usual do not respond on time. Only at the last minute do they let you down. You will have made bookings and it will be difficult to seek any alternative," said Chibhebhe.
Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena refuted the allegation.
"We get the notification in writing and we immediately assess the situation and if we are satisfied we give them the go-ahead," said Bvudzijena.
He denied allegations that the police were being manipulated by the government.
"Until we are convinced that the ZCTU meetings will not advocate for violence and turn violent we will maintain our position," he said.
ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo described the police behaviour as "arrogant". He said it was to be expected from "a partisan and robotic police force that chooses to ignore its mandate of maintaining peace and order".
Matombo said a High Court interdict obtained by the ZCTU in March clearly stated that the police should not interfere with ZCTU activities.
Human rights lawyer Brian Kagoro said the government was pressing a self-destruct button by the way they were handling alternative views.
"Any state that seeks to build stability on denying citizens their basic rights is bound to destroy itself," said Kagoro.
"If you try to build a monopoly market of ideas you incite rebellion from the citizens."
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