By Staff Reporter
HARARE — The Zimbabwe Solidarity Movement (ZSM) has accused the police of acting outside the law by directing the group to seek clearance from the ministry of foreign affairs for its planned protest at the US embassy.
In a letter to the Officer Commanding Harare Suburban District, ZSM rejected the directive, arguing it was “unlawful.”
“There is no provision in the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23] that obliges organisers of a peaceful procession to seek permission from any Ministry.”
ZSM added that MOPA only requires notification to police, “and not ministerial clearance.”
The pressure group further argued that any consultations with other ministries are not the organisers’ responsibility.
“Any inter-ministerial coordination that the Zimbabwe Republic Police may deem necessary remains an internal administrative matter and cannot lawfully be imposed on the organisers,” the letter said.
The group also warned police about statutory deadlines.
“Should no written response prohibiting or regulating the procession be communicated within three (3) days of notification, consent is deemed to have been granted by operation of law.
“Accordingly, unless we receive a lawful written response within the prescribed timeframe, we shall proceed on the understanding that the procession of 03 February 2026 stands as notified,” ZSM wrote.
ZSM plans to march to the US embassy on February 3 in protest against what it calls US “aggression” in Venezuela, following a January 3 US military operation that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The group says the action violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.
Police had advised ZSM to consult the foreign affairs ministry, citing the diplomatic sensitivity of protests involving embassies.
ZSM notified police on January 15 that about 300 people from unions, churches and student groups would take part.
Authorities have not publicly responded.
