A Zimbabwean court on Sunday upheld a ban on the planned campaign launch by main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the third of its rallies to be banned as its leader Nelson Chamisa face hurdles on his campaign trail.
CCC was scheduled to hold its campaign launch on Sunday in Bindura, about 100 km north of the capital Harare, but policeCCC lawyers filed an urgent application at the High Court on Friday challenging the police decision, but a judge on Sunday referred the matter back to the lower court. Bindura Magistrate Mary Musika then upheld the ban, saying CCC had failed to notify the police on time.
CCC lawyer Agency Gumbo said: "The ruling showed there is an uneven playing ground in this election. It shows that the democratic space has been eroded. We are getting into a match with both legs tied so you cannot score."A handful of opposition supporters chanted party slogans as they protested outside the court, adding they were not free to support their party. Some said they had travelled all night to attend the rally.
"It is disheartening because ZANU PF is allowed to campaign freely but they are using the law to block our rallies. People now fear for their lives and this will impact our vote," 36-year-old Patience Chigwande told Reuters. Political analysts say the elections, in which President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking a second term, may lose credibility if the clampdown on the opposition continues.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Zuma lauds Zimbabwean for resilience despite challenges - SABC NewsFormer President, Jacob Zuma says people of Zimbabwe have been resilient despite the challenges they have encountered. He has taken a swipe at the IMF for declaring the neighbouring country as unsuitable to access resources from the fund.
Read more »
Intervals of clouds, sunshine and showers - Sunday weather forecastGood morning, Cape {town} Etc family! Today will feature intervals of clouds and sunshine with a couple of showers before becoming breezy in the afternoon. Here's your weather forecast for today:
Read more »
Read the Sunday Times e-editionIt’s not all serious news, however. Do read our front page story on a law firm that fell foul of a magistrate after using ChatGPT for legal research.
Read more »
Mnangagwa is worse than Mugabe: Main opposition - SABC NewsZimbabwe’s main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has accused Zanu-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa of violently trying to silence them.
Read more »