Youth Group Launches Non-Violent Campaign Against Police
Tatenda Gumbo
WASHINGTON —
The Zimbabwe Organization for Youth in Politics (ZOYP) Monday launched a new campaign demanding an end to the on-going police clampdown of civil society organizations.
Dubbed “We are Fed up Campaign”, the campaign seeks to target the country’s law enforcement agents demanding an end to what they say is the criminalization of their activities.
ZOYP said they are planning a protest where they intend, and joined by other civic organizations, to visit police stations and demand arrest in solidarity with their colleagues who have already been targeted by the police ahead of the referendum and crucial elections later in the year.
A number of non-governmental organizations including ZimRights, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network and Radio Dialogue, have been raided by the police over the past few weeks with files, computers and shortwave radios being confiscated.
The police have outlawed the radio sets, though the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that only transmitters can be confiscated. Radio receivers taking FM, AM and shortwave are allowed.
Executive director Nkosilathi Moyo with the Zimbabwe Organization for Youth in Politics told VOA the police crackdown against civil society must end.
Moyo was arrested last year for contriving the Public Order and Security Act, after organization a peace meeting in Kwekwe that was said to be unsanctioned by the police.
He said since 2000 the civic society has been criminalized, with the law being selectively applied, and those who are perpetrating violence against innocent civilians walk free.
Moyo said CSOs need the opportunity to unite, have purpose and reclaim their space. ZOYP is yet to announce a date for its protest and march to police stations nationwide.
