POLICE in Bulawayo yesterday made an embarrassing climb down, admitting the terrorism fears they raised ahead of a People's Democratic Party (PDP) rally in the city were a hoax.
The police now say the rally, scheduled for Sunday, can go ahead as initially planned.
Chief Superintendent Mthokozisi Manzini Moyo, the police officer commanding Bulawayo West district, had on Monday banned the rally, claiming law enforcement agents had received intelligence reports that the rally would be hijacked by terrorists and turned into an orgy of violence that would spread to all parts of the country targeting government buildings and movable assets for destruction.
Moyo yesterday wrote to the opposition party reversing his earlier decision.
"Please be advised that after putting some issues into perspective, my office has reconsidered the prohibition notice as regards your anniversary scheduled for September 11 at White City Stadium," he wrote.
"It is hereby rescinded. However, be advised that confining your celebrations to the venue will further reduce security risks and chances of infiltration, which might lead to public disorder incidents."
- News Day
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