By Paul Nyathi|MDC Vice President Morgen Komichi has challenged the government to arrest the Roman Catholic Church leader for last week’s protests that turned violent if they harbour thoughts of arresting President Nelson Chamisa on the same charges.

Addressing a media briefing at the opposition party headquarters in Harare on Tuesday, Komichi said that if the Emmerson Mnangagwa government is determined in arresting leaders of groups of people who took part in the protests then the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, must also be arrested as some Catholics took part in the protests.

Komichi rubbished government claims that the main opposition instigated the deadly protests adding that the demonstrations were a spontaneous reaction by angry groups of locals.

Four MDC MPs have since been arrested facing subversion charges which carry up to 20 years imprisonment if one is found guilty.

Komichi said government was wayward in picking on the MDC as having led the protests.

“If we really go back to what happened last week, it was a citizen movement. That is citizens standing up against the government,” he said.

“Why then be selective and choose the MDC because among the people that were killed, victimised, are some from the Catholic diocese, some from the vendors, it was a mixture of all those people.”

There were unconfirmed reports this week the state may consider arresting MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and link him with the skirmishes.

“Why then be selective and say MDC alone was responsible for the action? If they are to arrest the MDC leadership, they must go and arrest the Pope at the Vatican and the Anglican Bishop because their people were also involved in these mass demonstrations.

“We do not want to create a situation where they put the blame on us. The challenge of last week was the people’s challenge and actually triggered by President Mnangagwa himself,” Komichi said.