By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Zimbabwe’s main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), may be facing fresh hurdles ahead of the Aug. 23 presidential and parliamentary polls as court on Sunday upheld the ban on the planned flag-off of its rally.
This is the third time the party is facing a ban on its campaign as fate of the leader Nelson Chamisa, who will test his popularity at the polls with the incumbent President Emerson Mnangagwa remains uncertain.
CCC was scheduled to commence it campaign on Sunday in Bindura, about 100 km (62 miles) north of the capital Harare, but police banned the gathering, citing problems with the venue.
CCC lawyers filed an urgent application at the High Court on Friday challenging the police decision, but a judge on Sunday referred the matter back to the lower court.
Bindura Magistrate, Mary Musika then upheld the ban, saying CCC had failed to notify the police on time.
CCC lawyer Agency Gumbo said: “The ruling showed there is an uneven playing ground in this election. It shows that the democratic space has been eroded. We are getting into a match with both legs tied so you cannot score.”
Some opposition supporters chanted party slogans as they protested outside the court, adding they were not free to support their party. Some said they had travelled all night to attend the rally.
“It is disheartening because ZANU PF is allowed to campaign freely but they are using the law to block our rallies. People now fear for their lives and this will impact our vote,” 36-year-old Patience Chigwande told Reuters.
