8 might be perfectly acceptable in a functioning democracy, nor the blatant abuse of the criminal justice system and police powers for the purpose of political repression, forms any part of the author’s considerations. The reports thus starkly expose the extent of the politicisation of the police and a degree of obliviousness to the fact that many of their actions are the implementation of a programme of political oppression and not part of implementing the criminal justice system. As can be seen from the table below, a total of 141 incidents were described in the first report as occurring as part of the “trail of violence” since January 2007. Table 2 Events in ZRP report re-classified. No. of events mentioned in ZRP report. 141 No. of events identified as normal democratic activity. 112 80% No. of “criminal” activities alleged 29 20% Of the 141 incidents, 112 [80%] can be re-classified as normal democratic activity in that they refer to meetings, rallies, and demonstrations. In only 29 [20%] cases does the report identify “criminal activity” of any kind and yet in 41 [29%] of the instances arrests were made. Charges were preferred in only six [15%] cases. But even in these instances, the comments made above apply — that charges preferred in the cases of public order offences are not often sustainable as the alleged facts which purportedly give rise to the charges do not constitute an offence. The report does indicate that a total of 46 persons were arrested specifically in connection with the events of the 11th March, and that these persons were arrested for “public violence”. As can be seen from the table below, the majority of these were members of the MDC, but a large percentage [30%] are not described as having any form of institutional or organisational affiliation. Table 3 Frequencies of affiliations of persons mentioned as having been arrested for “public violence”. MDC officer MDC employee MDC supporter 6 5 8 9 2 1 14 % of total 13% 11% 17% 20% 4% 2% 30% % of MDC MDC as % of total 32% 26% 42% Total Student NCA ZCTU Other 41% These figures do not tally, however, with the data provided in the report itself. In the introduction to the ZRP report, there is a figure showing the purported frequencies of the criminal activities of various groups mentioned earlier, and the presumption is that this can be