POLICE in Harare have barred the family of disappeared activist Itai Dzamara from holding a prayer meeting to mark a year after his alleged abduction by suspected State security agents.
by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
The commemorations were scheduled for Wednesday at Dzamara’s protest venue, Africa Unity Square in central Harare. Dzamara went missing on March 9, 2015 after being bundled into an unmarked vehicle and has remained unaccounted for although human rights activists and diplomats have continued to pile pressure on government to find him.
Before his abduction, Dzamara had staged a series of solo protests to force President Robert Mugabe to step down for “running down the economy”.
Dzamara’s younger brother, Partson told NewsDay yesterday that police last Friday denied them permission to hold the commemorations, claiming the event would infringe on other persons’ rights.
He said the ban was communicated to him by Officer Commanding Harare Central Police, Chief Superintendent Newbert Saunyama. “They told us that in exercising our rights, we could infringe upon the rights of others, yet failed to explain how and which rights we were encroaching on,” Partson said.
“We wish to inform the public that we continue doing the necessary ground work for the commemorations to be a success.” The Dzamara family has since approached the High Court to interdict police from interfering with the commemorations.
“I am finalising the application and affidavit for filing the first thing tomorrow (today) at the High Court,” family lawyer Sharon Hofisi said.
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The Wednesday commemorations are being jointly organised by the family’s church and MDC-T Harare province.
