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The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has instructed its lawyers to write to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) informing them about new dates for the Palestine solidarity march.
The development comes against the backdrop of a failed attempt to have the march held in Harare today. ARTUZ had written to the police notifying them of their intentions to deliver a petition to the United Nations office in Harare in solidarity with Palestinian workers in the wake of the current Israeli military attacks on Gaza.
ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure said as an association, they have since instructed their lawyers to write the police and notify them of the new dates.
“We were supposed to do our solidarity march today but we could not. We have since agreed that the march has to happen on the 8th of November 2023, hence we have asked our lawyers to write the police,” said Masaraure.
He added, “Our march with Palestine is very sensitive and it is in our hearts. We do not want to see people suffering.”
The teachers’ union had written to the police on 17 October 2023 notifying them of their intention to hold a solidarity march in accordance with clauses 6 and 7 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.
However, the Officer commanding the Harare district Chief Superintendent Raudzi Chuma turned them down.
“You notified me that your solidarity march shall commence at Ashbrittle shops up to the United Nations offices in Zimbabwe, which are located at Block 10, Arundel Office Park, Norfolk Road, Mt Pleasant, Harare, where you shall hand over your petition.
“However, your notification letter falls short of the requirements as outlined in the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23]. Therefore, your intended solidarity march and petition has not been sanctioned.”
ARTUZ intended to march today to the United Nations offices in Mt Pleasant, Harare, to deliver the petition.
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