The MDC condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of MDC officials in Gweru including Hon Livingston Chimina of Chiundura Constituency who was playing a representational role stopping an ilegality by Zanu PF thugs who were collecting money from struggling citizens at Kudzanai rank.

The police called Hon Chimina, Charles Machangira and another to present themselves to the police, where they were detained the whole day only to be released later in the afternoon on flimsy public violence charges. They are set to appear before the Gweru magistrate tomorrow.

The three allegedly effected citizen’s arrest on one of the Zanu PF hoodlums who were collecting money from public transport operators at Kudzanayi Bus terminus since Monday. The others managed to escape. The thug was released by the police before the three were summoned to the Station.

The abuse of state institutions to pursue a partisan agenda is retrogressive especially when Zimbabwe is in a space when signs of reform are needed.

The use of the police service to serve a partisan agenda violates the Constitution which states that the service must be apolitical and must not deservice citizens’ political freedoms and rights.

We urge the leaders of the police service to rise above politics and Zanu PF to stop this abuse.

The rising persecution of dissent is a bad way of doing politics and must stop forthwith to allow Zimbabwe to move forward with the development of a Constitutional democracy.

Behold the New. Change that delivers!

Jacob Mafume
MDC National Spokesperson