Mutamba Ducks Approving Protests As Zimbabweans Plan Mass Demos

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has distanced himself from the authority to approve or reject planned nationwide demonstrations, effectively dampening hopes that the protests scheduled for March 20, 2025, will proceed unhindered.

His statement comes in response to a notification from a coalition of concerned citizens seeking to demonstrate against the government’s failure to address Zimbabwe’s worsening socio-economic and political crisis. High unemployment, economic stagnation, and governance concerns have fueled growing public discontent.

In a letter dated March 18, 2025, and shared on the ZRP’s official social media channels, Mutamba made it clear that the protest notification had been misdirected to his office.

“Reference is made to a correspondence dated 14 March 2025 on the above subject, which was served at my office on the same date at 1537 hours.

“Having perused the said correspondence, and particularly noting that the author(s) intended to ‘notify the Joint Operations Command (JOC)’ of an intended ‘peaceful demonstration countrywide,’ I am certain that it has been misdirected to my office,” wrote Mutamba.

The JOC is a powerful state security body comprising senior officials from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), and ZRP. It plays a crucial role in national security coordination.

Mutamba further clarified that Zimbabwean law explicitly excludes his office from overseeing public demonstrations.

“The Legislature, in its wisdom, through the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) (Chapter 11:23), excludes my office from regulating public gatherings and demonstrations.

“In fact, MOPA clearly outlines how these rights must be exercised. I, therefore, urge the concerned citizens, through their representatives, to ensure full compliance with the laws of Zimbabwe. Be guided accordingly,” Mutamba stated.

His response leaves protesters in limbo, as it remains unclear whether they will receive official clearance to proceed with their planned demonstrations against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.