Over 500 police officers have sealed off Chawama Grounds, the venue for the planned United Party for National Development (UPND) rally to air their views on the Patriotic Front (PF) government’s removal of subsidies.
The government’s move to deny the UPND a permit and forcibly block the rally represents the latest incident in a series of confrontations between the PF and opposition parties, which some observers say is a violation of their rights to freedom of assembly.
The Zambian police had originally stated that the UPND could not hold their Chawama rally because they did not have enough security personnel available to provide for public safety – however, this morning more than 500 officers were deployed to ensure that the protest area was cordoned off.
Truckloads of officers outfitted with riot gear have been ferried to Chawama where they await the arrival of UPND members who are expected to be addressed by party president Hakainde Hichilema.
Lawyers for the UPND had written to the police but Lusaka province commissioner Joyce Kasosa said the police force could not allow the UPND to hold their rally citing security reasons.
Following the police action, the UPND called on its members to avoid confrontations with police, and stated that they would resolve to hold the rally at a future date.
Party deputy spokesperson Coenelius Mweetwa said the rally had been postponed after consultation with the civil society and student bodies.
“I would like to confirm that the United Party for National Development has decided to postpone the Chawama rally after consulation with the civil society and student bodies,” Mweetwa said.
“We will announce further details on when next we will hold it and a venue.”
Under the Patriotic Front (PF) government the right to hold public gatherings has been suspended with opposition leaders having been targets of arrests every time they call public meetings. UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, MMD president Nevers Mumba and NAREP leader Elias Chipimo have all been arrested under the Public Order Act.
The police have blocked rallies of the UPND and MMD in the past, leading one civil society group to present a formal complaint to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group requesting an investigation of alleged violations of civil rights by the PF government.
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