ZIMBABWE PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT GRANTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 HARARE 000268 SIPDIS NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY PARIS FOR CHARLES NEARY NAIROBI FOR TERRY PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/12 TAGS: PGOV PHUM ZI SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT GRANTS POLICE SWEEPING POWERS REF: 01 HARARE 3813 CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL OFFICER TODD FAULK FOR REASONS: 1.5 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: ON JANUARY 11, THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE PASSED THE DRACONIAN PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT (POSA),WHICH WAS GAZETTED AND WENT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 22. THE POSA REPLACES THE EQUALLY DRACONIAN LAW AND ORDER MAINTENANCE ACT (LOMA),LEGISLATION THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ENACTED BY THE COLONIAL REGIME IN THE EARLY 1960S. THE POSA'S MOST EGREGIOUS PROVISIONS MAKE "INSULTING THE PRESIDENT" A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, GRANT THE POLICE WIDE POWERS TO REGULATE AND BAN PUBLIC GATHERINGS, AUTHORIZE THE POLICE TO USE LETHAL FORCE TO BREAK UP PUBLIC GATHERINGS, REQUIRE ALL PERSONS IN ZIMBABWE TO CARRY IDENTITY DOCUMENTS, AND GRANT THE POLICE POWERS TO SEARCH PERSONS AND SEIZE PROPERTY WITHOUT WARRANTS. ENACTED TO SUPPRESS ANY DISSENT ARISING FROM THE MARCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, THE POSA IS ALREADY BEGINNING TO AFFECT CIVIL LIBERTIES IN ZIMBABWE. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF JANUARY 11, AFTER 15 HOURS OF CONTINUOUS DEBATE, THE ZIMBABWE PARLIAMENT PASSED THE PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT (POSA),ALONG WITH THE GENERAL LAWS AMENDMENTS ACT, WHICH AMENDS THE ELECTORAL ACT (TO BE REPORTED SEPTEL). THE POSA WENT CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 00268 01 OF 04 291524Z INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 22 AFTER IT WAS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT MUGABE AND GAZETTED THE SAME DAY. THE POSA REPLACES THE COLONIAL-ERA LAW AND ORDER AND MAINTENANCE ACT (LOMA),WHICH THE RHODESIAN REGIME HAD PASSED TO SUPPRESS BLACK NATIONALISM. SOME CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS BLASTED THE POSA AS MORE DRACONIAN THAN THE LOMA OR SECURITY LEGISLATION UNDER THE APARTHEID REGIME IN SOUTH AFRICA. LEGAL RIGHTS GROUPS SAY THE POSA LEAVES SO MUCH ROOM FOR INTERPRETATION IN MANY AREAS THAT IT GIVES POLICE AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CARTE BLANCHE IN ARRESTING AND PROSECUTING ALMOST ANYONE OPPOSED TO GOZ POLICIES. ¶3. (U) THE POSA IS DIVIDED INTO SIX PARTS, WHICH IN TURN ARE SUBDIVIDED INTO A TOTAL OF 46 SECTIONS. DESCRIBED BELOW ARE THE MOST WORRISOME SECTIONS, THE PRINCIPAL OFFENSES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PUNISHMENTS: -------------- -------------- 
PART II: OFFENSES AGAINST GOVERNMENT AND SECURITY -------------- -------------- SECTION 6: ACTS OF INSURGENCY, BANDITRY, SABOTAGE OR TERRORISM DEFINED AS KILLING OR INJURING ANOTHER PERSON, DAMAGING PROPERTY, INFLICTING FINANCIAL LOSS, OBSTRUCTING FREE MOVEMENT, OR DISRUPTING AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CAUSING AN INSURRECTION OR FORCIBLE RESISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT OR DEFENSE FORCES. ACTS UNDER THIS SECTION THAT CAUSE THE DEATH OF A PERSON ARE PUNISHABLE BY DEATH OR LIFE IMPRISONMENT; ALL OTHER CASES ARE PUNISHABLE BY LIFE IMPRISONMENT. CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 HARARE 00268 01 OF 04 291524Z SECTION 7: RECRUITING, TRAINING OR ENCOURAGING THE TRAINING OF PERSONS FOR ACTS OF INSURGENCY, BANDITRY, SABOTAGE OR TERRORISM; PUNISHABLE BY LIFE IMPRISONMENT. SECTIONS 9-10: SUPPLYING WEAPONRY TO INSURGENTS, BANDITS, SABOTEURS OR TERRORISTS; PUNISHABLE BY LIFE IMPRISONMENT. IT SHALL BE PRESUMED THAT ANYONE FOUND IN POSSESSION OF WEAPONRY THAT CANNOT BE ACCOUNTED FOR BY PERSONAL USE ALONE INTENDED TO USE THE WEAPONS FOR INSURGENCY, BANDITRY, SABOTAGE OR TERRORISM UNLESS PROVEN OTHERWISE. SECTION 11: HARBORING, CONCEALING OR FAILING TO REPORT AN INSURGENT, BANDIT, SABOTEUR OR TERRORIST; PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR UP TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 12: CAUSING OR ATTEMPTING TO CAUSE "DISAFFECTION" AMONG THE POLICE OR DEFENSE FORCES BY INDUCING A BREACH OF LOYALTY OR DISCIPLINE; PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR UP TO TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 14: A REGULATING AUTHORITY IN ITS POLICE DISTRICT MAY BAN FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS THE CARRYING (EITHER PUBLICLY OR CONCEALED) OF ANY WEAPON, INCLUDING AXES AND KNIVES, IF IT FEELS IT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTO9043 PAGE 01 HARARE 00268 02 OF 04 291525Z ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 MFA-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 AS-01 CIAE-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 R-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /011W -------------- 5ED931 291525Z /38 P 291513Z JAN 02 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0826 INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY KINGSTON AMEMBASSY NAIROBI C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 HARARE 000268 SIPDIS NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY PARIS FOR CHARLES NEARY NAIROBI FOR TERRY PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/12 TAGS: PGOV PHUM ZI CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 00268 02 OF 04 291525Z SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT GRANTS POLICE SWEEPING POWERS "PUBLIC DISORDER OR A BREACH OF THE PEACE." A POLICE OFFICER MAY SEIZE ANY SUCH WEAPON WITHOUT WARRANT. DEFYING THE ABOVE ORDERS IS PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 15: PUBLISHING OR COMMUNICATING TO ANY OTHER PERSON FALSE STATEMENTS "PREJUDICIAL TO THE STATE" WITH THE INTENTION OR RISK OF PROMOTING PUBLIC DISORDER; ENDANGERING PUBLIC SAFETY; ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE DEFENSE OR ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF ZIMBABWE; UNDERMINING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, THE PRISON SERVICE OR DEFENSE FORCES; OR DISRUPTING AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE. PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR UP TO FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 16: PUBLICLY OR INTENTIONALLY MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT ABOUT THE PRESIDENT THAT "ENGENDERS FEELING OF HOSTILITY TOWARDS OR CAUSES HATRED, CONTEMPT OR RIDICULE OF" THE PRESIDENT OR MAKING ANY "ABUSIVE, INDECENT, OBSCENE OR FALSE STATEMENTS" ABOUT THE PRESIDENT. PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OR UP TO ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT. -------------- PART III: OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER -------------- SECTIONS 17-19: DISTURBING THE PEACE, SECURITY OR ORDER OF THE PUBLIC; THROWING STONES, ARTICLES OR MISSILES CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 00268 02 OF 04 291525Z LIKELY TO CAUSE DAMAGE AT ANY PERSON OR PIECE OF PROPERTY; OR ORGANIZING GATHERINGS CONDUCIVE TO RIOTS, DISORDER OR INTOLERANCE OF PARTICULAR RACIAL OR ETHNIC GROUPS. PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR UP TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT. SECTIONS 20-21: ASSAULTING OR RESISTING A POLICE OFFICER IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTY; PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OR UP TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT. PUBLICLY MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT ABOUT A POLICE OFFICER THAT RISKS ENGENDERING FEELINGS OF HOSTILITY, CONTEMPT, RIDICULE OR DISESTEEM TOWARDS THE POLICE OFFICER OR POLICE FORCE; PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR UP TO TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 22: THREATENING OR INFLICTING HARM TO INDUCE ANOTHER PERSON TO DO SOMETHING HE IS NOT LEGALLY OBLIGED TO DO FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURTHERING A POLITICAL OBJECTIVE. PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT. -------------- PART IV: RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC GATHERINGS -------------- SECTION 24: ANY ORGANIZER OF A PUBLIC GATHERING OF A POLITICAL NATURE MUST GIVE AT LEAST FOUR DAYS' WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE GATHERING TO THE REGULATING AUTHORITY FOR THE AREA IN WHICH THE GATHERING IS TO BE HELD. (NOTE: THE NUMBER OF DAYS WAS REDUCED FROM SEVEN TO FOUR AFTER AN AMENDMENT WAS PROPOSED BY MDC MP DAVID COLTART DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. END NOTE.) CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 HARARE 00268 02 OF 04 291525Z SECTION 25: A REGULATING AUTHORITY MAY PRESCRIBE THE TIME THE GATHERING MAY COMMENCE AND ITS MAXIMUM DURATION; PROHIBIT THE LOCATION OF THE GATHERING IN CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES; PRESCRIBE THE ROUTE TO BE TAKEN BY ANY PROCESSION; AND REQUIRE THE ORGANIZER TO APPOINT MARSHALS TO ASSIST IN MAINTAINING ORDER. A POLICE OFFICER MAY ORDER PERSONS TAKING PART IN THE GATHERING TO DISPERSE IF ANY DIRECTION IS VIOLATED OR HE BELIEVES THAT PUBLIC ORDER WOULD BE ENDANGERED IF THE GATHERING CONTINUED. FAILING TO COMPLY IS PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR UP TO SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 26: A REGULATING AUTHORITY MAY PROHIBIT, BY GIVING THE ORGANIZER WRITTEN NOTICE, ANY GATHERING THAT IT BELIEVES MAY RESULT IN PUBLIC DISORDER. THE ORGANIZER MAY APPEAL TO THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS. ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER MAY BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OR UP TO SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 27: A REGULATING AUTHORITY, IF IT BELIEVES ACTIONS UNDER SECTIONS 25 AND 26 WILL NOT PREVENT PUBLIC DISORDER, MAY BAN ALL PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION FOR UP TO ONE MONTH BY ISSUING A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE OR A LOCAL NEWSPAPER. (NOTE: THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF THE BAN WAS REDUCED FROM THREE MONTHS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTO9044 PAGE 01 HARARE 00268 03 OF 04 291525Z ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 MFA-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 AS-01 CIAE-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 R-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /011W -------------- 5ED946 291525Z /38 P 291513Z JAN 02 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0827 INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY KINGSTON AMEMBASSY NAIROBI C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 HARARE 000268 SIPDIS NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY PARIS FOR CHARLES NEARY NAIROBI FOR TERRY PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/12 TAGS: PGOV PHUM ZI CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 00268 03 OF 04 291525Z SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT GRANTS POLICE SWEEPING POWERS TO ONE MONTH AFTER THE MDC INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT IN PARLIAMENT AND THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AGREED TO IT. END NOTE.) ANYONE AGGRIEVED BY THE DECISION MAY APPEAL TO THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS. THOSE DEFYING THE BAN MAY BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OR UP TO ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT. SECTION 29: A POLICE OFFICER MAY DISPERSE OR APPREHEND ANY PERSON HOLDING AN UNLAWFUL PUBLIC GATHERING. IF THE PERSON RESISTS THE POLICE OFFICER AND THE POLICE OFFICER KILLS THAT PERSON IN AN ATTEMPT TO OVERCOME THAT RESISTANCE, THE KILLING SHALL BE LAWFUL. SECTION 31: DISRUPTING A PUBLIC GATHERING BY ENGAGING IN DISORDERLY CONDUCT OR BEHAVING IN A THREATENING, ABUSIVE OR INSULTING MANNER; PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND UP TO TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT. -------------- PART V: ENFORCEMENT OF PUBLIC ORDER -------------- SECTION 32: ALL PERSONS, INCLUDING VISITORS, 16 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, MUST CARRY AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN A PUBLIC PLACE AN IDENTITY DOCUMENT THAT INCLUDES NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS. IN THE CASE OF VISITORS, ENTRY CERTIFICATES, OR PASSPORTS OR DRIVER'S LICENSES ISSUED BY A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, WILL SUFFICE. A POLICE OFFICER CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 00268 03 OF 04 291525Z MAY ASK TO SEE AN IDENTITY DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME. IF THE INQUIRING POLICE OFFICER IS INVESTIGATING A CRIME, AT A CRIME SCENE, WITHIN A POLICE CORDON, AT A POLICE ROADBLOCK OR AT A PUBLIC GATHERING OF A POLITICAL NATURE, AND A PERSON FAILS TO PRESENT AN ID UPON REQUEST, THAT PERSON MAY BE DETAINED UNTIL THEIR IDENTITY IS ESTABLISHED. IN ALL OTHER CASES, ANYONE WHO IS FOUND WITHOUT AN ID SHALL BE GIVEN SEVEN DAYS TO PRESENT A SUITABLE ID DOCUMENT AT A SPECIFIED POLICE STATION; FAILING THIS, THAT PERSON WILL BE DETAINED UNTIL THEIR IDENTITY IS ESTABLISHED. NO PUNISHMENT IS SPECIFIED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE AN ID. SECTION 33: A POLICE OFFICER ABOVE THE RANK OF INSPECTOR MAY ESTABLISH A CORDON AROUND ANY AREA IN WHICH PUBLIC VIOLENCE IS OCCURRING. ANYONE ENTERING OR LEAVING THIS CORDON WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A FINE AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT. A POLICE OFFICER MAY SEARCH AND ARREST, WITHOUT A WARRANT, ANY PERSON WITHIN THE CORDON. SECTIONS 35 AND 36: A POLICE OFFICER MAY STOP AND SEARCH, WITHOUT A WARRANT, ANY PERSON, VEHICLE OR AIRCRAFT ENTERING OR LEAVING ZIMBABWE, OR ANY PERSON OR VEHICLE APPROACHING A POLICE ROADBLOCK. IN THE COURSE OF SUCH A SEARCH, THE POLICE OFFICER MAY SEIZE ANY THING WITHOUT A WARRANT. ANYONE FAILING TO STOP OR SUBMIT TO A SEARCH MAY BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OR UP TO ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT. -------------- CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 HARARE 00268 03 OF 04 291525Z PART VI: GENERAL PROVISIONS -------------- SECTION 37: THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS, WHO OVERSEES ALL LOCAL AUTHORITIES, MAY REQUEST THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DEFENSE FORCES IN "SUPPRESSING ANY CIVIL COMMOTION OR DISTURBANCE IN ANY POLICE DISTRICT." SECTION 40: MAGISTRATES ARE GIVEN SPECIAL JURISDICTION IN CASES PROSECUTED UNDER THE ACT AND CAN, IN SUMMARY TRIALS, IMPOSE FINES LARGER THAN THEIR NORMAL JURISDICTION AND IMPOSE PRISON SENTENCES LONGER THAN THEIR NORMAL JURISDICTION, UP TO 15 YEARS. SECTION 43: THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS MAY DEPRIVE THE CITIZENSHIP OF ANYONE CONVICTED UNDER THE ACT AND SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT OR LONGER. SECTION 44: ANYONE ARRESTED WITHOUT WARRANT AND CHARGED UNDER THE ACT WITHIN 48 HOURS WILL BE HELD IN CUSTODY FOR SEVEN DAYS WITHOUT BAIL. ¶4. (C) ENACTED TO SUPPRESS ANY DISSENT ARISING FROM THE MARCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, THE POSA IS ALREADY BEGINNING TO AFFECT CIVIL LIBERTIES IN ZIMBABWE. ON JANUARY 28, POLICE IN HARARE REPORTEDLY BANNED THE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9186 PAGE 01 HARARE 00268 04 OF 04 291525Z ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 MFA-00 NP-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 AS-01 CIAE-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 WHA-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PC-01 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 R-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /011W -------------- 5ED952 291525Z /38 P 291513Z JAN 02 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0828 INFO NSC WASHDC PRIORITY SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY KINGSTON AMEMBASSY NAIROBI C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 HARARE 000268 SIPDIS NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR JENDAYI FRAZER LONDON FOR CHARLES GURNEY PARIS FOR CHARLES NEARY NAIROBI FOR TERRY PFLAUMER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/12 TAGS: PGOV PHUM ZI CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 HARARE 00268 04 OF 04 291525Z SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT GRANTS POLICE SWEEPING POWERS CARRYING OR DISPLAY OF TRADITIONAL WEAPONS, NAMELY MACHETES, KNOBKERRIES, SWORDS, KNIVES AND DAGGERS, UNDER SECTION 14 OF THE POSA. IN ADDITION, ON JANUARY 24, THE OWNER OF A POPULAR HARARE GATHERING SPOT REPORTEDLY CANCELED THE MEETING OF A HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP ON HIS PROPERTY BECAUSE IT POTENTIALLY COULD BE CONSTRUED BY THE POLICE AS A POLITICAL MEETING. A PROMINENT ZIMBABWEAN ATTORNEY AND MEMBER OF THE CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE TASK FORCE RECENTLY EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN TO US THAT THE POSA WAS PASSED NOT ONLY TO HELP THE GOZ WIN THE ELECTION, BUT TO KEEP IT IN POWER LONG AFTER. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: ALTHOUGH THE POSA INCORPORATES A FEW MARGINAL IMPROVEMENTS OVER ITS LOMA PREDECESSOR, SUCH AS REMOVING PROVISIONS AGAINST MAKING SUBVERSIVE STATEMENTS AND THE POLICE AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE CURFEWS, ON THE WHOLE THE POSA IS A STEP BACKWARD FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS. IT IS IRONIC THAT MANY OFFENSES DESCRIBED UNDER THE NEW LAW, PARTICULARLY ONE AGAINST INTIMIDATION UNDER SECTION 22, HAVE BEEN COMMITTED WITH IMPUNITY BY WAR VETERANS, ZANU-PF MILITIA AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE POSA COULD ACTUALLY BE USED TO REIN IN AND PROSECUTE THE PERPETRATORS OF THE RULING PARTY'S CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE IF THE POLICE WERE ALLOWED TO DO THEIR JOBS. HOWEVER, WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT INCREASINGLY ONE-SIDED, WE FULLY EXPECT THE NEW LAW TO BE USED ALMOST SOLELY AGAINST SUPPORTERS OF THE OPPOSITION. END COMMENT. CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 HARARE 00268 04 OF 04 291525Z SULLIVAN CONFIDENTIAL >