Losing Independent Candidate In 2018 Elections In Court For Violating POSA
Bulawayo South Constituency losing independent candidate in 2018 harmonised elections, Josphat Ngulube has appeared before the courts facing a violation of Public Order and Security Act (POSA) charges.
The Act prohibits convening a gathering without notifying the relevant authorities.
The development comes at a time when the government has moved to proscribe POSA and replace it with a new bill, Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill (MOPA).
POSA has been criticised for being a draconian law which undermines citizens’ rights and freedoms including the right to association.
The State through prosecutor, Mr Mufaro Mageza, alleges that Ngulube in violation of POSA convened a public demonstration on 17 July which was attended by approximately 30 people. The prosecutor said:
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On July 17 at around midday at corner 10th Ave and Fort Street near Pick and Pay, Ngulube went ahead and convened a public demonstration where members of the public amounting to about 30 people gathered.
Ngulube had on 13 July submitted to the police notice of a public demonstration which was planned for Wednesday. The police, however, turned it down arguing that a notice was supposed to be submitted seven days before the intended demonstration.
He was remanded in custody to today for bail ruling.
Ngulube is also jointly accused with four other people of burning a vehicle belonging to Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial women’s league chairperson, Cde Eva Bitu in Sizinda, during the January shutdown demonstrations.
The matter is still pending at the courts.
More: The Chronicle
