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Police unsuccessfully try to disrupt MDC Nkayi North rally
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
October 24, 2011

Police in Nkayi North on Saturday unsuccessfully tried to block an MDC rally at which President Tsvangirai was the guest speaker, claiming that Zanu PF's Sithembiso Nyoni had booked the venue.

The MDC on Friday had secured a Hugh Court order overturning a decision by Matebeleland North police to bar President Tsvangirai from addressing two rallies in Nkayi North and South.

The rally at Nesigwe Business Centre was the first rally to be addressed by the President since the formation of the party in 1999.

Hon. Abednico Bhebhe, the MDC deputy organising secretary said the police had been notified about the rally in September.

However, on Saturday, the police tried to block the rally but the Matetebeleland North chairperson, Sengezo Tshabangu said the rally would proceed as all the preparatory work had been done and President Tsvangirai was already in Nkayi.

"All the necessary work was done. The police were notified, all the paperwork was done. We have their letters informing us there was no other programme in the district but they wanted to change that. We will not be intimidated, our meetings are going to take place as scheduled," said Tshabangu.

Police at the venue said Nyoni was constantly calling them to disrupt the rally.

"There is pressure in our office as Nyoni is calling the station and saying we should disrupt this meeting," said one police officer at the venue.

"We are only respecting the papers we signed and stamped otherwise the move was to ensure that this rally becomes a flop. But after seeing the massive turnout and the fact that most people were coming for this rally rather than hers, it has not been easy in the office," he added.

However, President Tsvangirai managed to address over 6 000 people who had gathered at Nesigwe.

The people said they were not deterred by the action of the police and were excited that their President had addressed them.

Meanwhile, there were no disturbances at Ziminya Business Centre, Nkayi South where President Tsvangirai addressed a similar rally on Sunday which was attended by thousands of MDC supporters.

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