Zimbabwe police bans public rallies in the capital to contain the cholera outbreak

HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwean police on Wednesday banned public gatherings and the illegal sale of food to fight the spread of cholera, which left 21 dead in the capital Harare.

The ban was announced one day after the government declared the disease an emergency.

National Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said she would remain in place until the cholera outbreak is under control. She urged members of the public to consider the ban as it would help to mitigate the spread of the disease.

The main opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, had planned to hold a rally on Saturday where he could swear a presidential oath three weeks after the inauguration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa following a court ruling confirming his disputed electoral victory.

Chamisa spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda did not have an immediate comment.

The opposition leader went to clinics where cholera patients were treated on Wednesday and called for collaboration between city health officials and the government.

Police also said they stopped the sale of food by illegal vendors in the streets of two of the most affected suburbs and downtown.

"The police will intensify patrols and surveillance in Harare's central business district and will be in full force to ensure respect for the government without fear or favor," said a police statement.

More than 3,000 people have been infected with cholera and the disease has now spread outside the capital, Health Minister Obadiah Moyo told a meeting of ministries.

According to the Ministry of Health, this is the largest cholera outbreak since 2008, when 4,000 people died and more than 40,000 were treated for the disease.