By Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have finally given opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s party the green light to hold its long-awaited 19th anniversary celebrations which the main opposition had intended to also use for a mock inauguration of party leader Nelson Chamisa as the “People’s President”.

The celebrations are set to be held for at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare on Saturday.

In a letter sent to the party Tuesday, police gave the MDC strict guidelines for the holding of the event while threatening to put down the festive meeting should the opposition decide to break the rules.

Said the ZRP in an acknowledgment letter to the party:

“You are expected to control behaviour of your political party members, before, during and after the celebrations.

…Your political party shall not intimidate passers-by and those who have nothing to do with your celebrations.

… Your members should not be involved in toy-toying, convoying of vehicles of people chanting, singing and disseminating hateful and defaming speeches.”

Your marshals shall be dressed in a uniform that will make it easier to be identified by the police and a list of the marshals shall be presented to the officer who will be responsible for police security at your celebrations.

…Any deviation from the above will result in police dispersing your gathering.”

Police further said event convenors, Rhino Mashaya and his deputy Amos Chibaya will be held accountable for any untoward incidents by party followers.

The MDC celebrations come after several attempts to hold the event were blocked by police who cited a blanket ban imposed on public gatherings in ostensible attempts to prevent the further spread of a cholera disaster that has killed at least 54 citizens since 6 September this year.

Addressing a media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Chamisa vowed to proceed with the party celebrations even without police permission.

The opposition leader said this following a recent Constitutional Court ruling striking off provisions of the Public Order and Security Act which in the past empowered police to block demonstrations or gatherings which were mostly organised by opposition political parties.