Tanzania: Chadema Fight Rally Ban in Court
Mwanza — The opposition says it will challenge in court, the recent announcement by the police force in the country to ban all rallies by Opposition parties.
The decision to move to court was announced today by Chadema deputy secretary general (Zanzibar) Mr Saumu Mwalimu in Mwanza.
It follows a two day consultative meeting by top officials of the opposition party led by national chairman Mr Freeman Mbowe.
Chadema officials and several MPs have been holed up in the Lake Zone City after they were barred by the police from holding a public rally in Kahama two days ago.
The rally, ostensibly to turn the public against President John Magufuli's leadership style, was forcefully dispersed by baton wielding police who also sprayed water canon against the party's supporters who turned up for the rally.
The Kahama meeting was canceled in the last minute despite having been issued a permit by the same police. The cancellation came only hours after a circular was issued from the police headquarters in Dar es Salaam revealing a decision had been taken to stop all rallies planned countrywide by Opposition parties.
The police said the meetings, which would also involve another party, ACT-Wazalendo led by Kigoma Urban MP, Zitto Kabwe , would be banned indefinitely.
Today Mr Mwalimu said they will file a case seeking to overturn the police move at the Mwanza High Court late today. "We have gone through all the legal documents and find it necessary to challenge the police order as it is illegal," he told a press conference a few minutes ago.
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