MASVINGO — Police on Friday blocked protests by a non-governmental organisation, against Masvingo governor Titus Maluleke over his decision to suspend 29 NGOs last month for allegedly failing to register their operations with his office.
Maluleke last month suspended the relief organisations accusing them of failing to comply with new government regulations demanding that NGOs work with traditional leaders like village heads and chiefs, as well as district administrators and local authorities.
One of the suspended NGOs, Community for Tolerance, Reconciliation and Development (Cotrad) last week vowed to fight the ban and gave Maluleke a 96-hour ultimatum to reverse his decision or face mass protests.
However, the demonstrations by Cotrad flopped as protesters were arrested on their way to Maluleke’s offices at Benjamin Burombo building.
Cotrad programmes officer, Gamuchirai Mukura told NewsDay that 18 of the protesters were arrested while carrying placards denouncing the ban but were released the same day.
“About 18 protesters were arrested as they were about to get into town when police stopped a kombi we had hired to ferry the demonstrators,” Mukura said.
He said police had followed their movements and blocked the protests.
“They were tracking us and derailed our efforts. But we will send the message home that the suspensions are ill-timed as they expose vulnerable villagers to starvation,” said Mukura.
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Efforts to get a comment from the police were unsuccessful as Masvingo Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tineyi Matake’s mobile phone went unanswered.
Among the suspended NGOs are Restoration of Human Rights, Zimbabwe Peace Project, Heifer Project, Ambassadors Plus, Free the Children Trust and Safire.
