Government will not brook unlawful demonstrations as law enforcement agents stand ready to resolutely safeguard the peace and tranquillity that currently exists in the country, Home Affairs and Culture Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said.

His remarks come in the wake of MDC’s announcement that it will be staging protests on Friday to put pressure on the current political administration.

Police have since advised that they are still considering the notice by the MDC before announcing its position.
Minister Mathema told The Sunday Mail that while Government fully recognises people’s Constitutional right to demonstrate, lawlessness would not be tolerated.

“We have heard of the call for demonstrations by the MDC on the 16th of August and our position is that we do not disallow legal and Constitutional demonstrations.

“Demonstrations must be in line with the Constitution and in line with other laws of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“My job is to preside over law and order; anything that does not follow law and order, we will not accept and our law enforcement will deal with it accordingly.”

Demonstrations, Minister Mathema said, must not affect other law-abiding citizens who seek to go about their normal business.

“The space in Zimbabwe belongs to all of us, which is why we have to regulate who is demonstrating along which path and how this will affect the business of everyone else.
“We will not allow demonstrations that impinge upon the rights of others.”State media