BINDURA – Bindura magistrate Mary Msipa on Sunday dismissed as not urgent, an application filed by Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) to hold its campaign launch rally in the Mashonaland Central town on Sunday.
CCC, which poses the biggest threat to Zanu PF’s continued dominance on local politics, intended to hold its rally at Chipadze Stadium but was blocked by the police who said the council facility was in the middle of renovations.
Similarly, an alternative venue identified by the opposition party was also declared as unfit for gatherings for lack of serviced reads and toilets.
CCC rushed to challenge the decision in court Friday with the magistrate setting hearing for this Tuesday.
Aggrieved, CCC took the matter to the High Court where Justice Tawanda Chitapi ordered urgent hearing of the matter.
“The ruling showed there is an uneven playing ground in this election,” said CCC lawyer Agency Gumbo in an interview with journalists after dismissal of the application.
“It shows that the democratic space has been eroded.
“We are getting into a match with both legs tied so you cannot score.”
CCC has accused Zanu PF of colluding with the police to throw spanners in the works of its campaigns.
Police has also blamed the opposition party of lack of organisation while preparing for its gatherings.
