The family of missing journalist and political activist, Itai Dzamara, has petitioned the High Court seeking permission to stage a public march on Thursday in remembrance of the leader of Occupy Africa Unity Square, who was abducted by unknown assailants on March 9th last year.
Lawyer Sharon Hofisi of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who filed an urgent chamber application on behalf of the Dzamara family, said they were seeking an order to interdict the Zimbabwe Republic Police from interfering with the march.
High Court judge Justice Clement Phiri will hear the application Tuesday at 12 noon.
“We want the court to protect the right to demonstrate and petition in a peaceful manner,” Hofisi said.
In February this year, the Dzamara family notified the ZRP of the planned religious march schedule and stated that they were exempted from giving notice to the police in terms of the provisions of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
But in their response, the police said the event would infringe on other people’s rights, adding that their letter did not comply with the provisions of POSA and hence they could not proceed with the march.
“They did not canvass well the reasons why they blocked the march. It was simply that they demanded some 12 requirements in terms of POSA, and our client tried to solicit an explanation as to what the police meant.”
Hofisi said that they were confident justice will prevail in courts and allow the family to exercise its constitutional rights.-VOA
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