By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said they did not beat up a human rights lawyer, Kudzayi Kadzere, attending to some members of the opposition CCC who were arrested and detained at Budiriro 2 Police Station on Saturday, 14 January 2023.
In a statement, ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Kadzere jumped off a moving police vehicle and sustained injuries. Reads the statement:
CLARITY BY THE ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE ON ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT ON LAWYER, KUDZAYI KADZERE
The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to set the record straight and clarify the exact position with regards to allegations of assault on lawyer, Kudzayi Kadzere by police officers.
It is a fact that the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)’s Costa Machingauta convened an unsanctioned gathering at house number 9293 Mvumba Crescent, Budiriro 5A, Harare.
The local Zimbabwe Republic Police station received information and reacted to the scene.
Police Officers observed that nearly 500 supporters had gathered for the meeting clad in their party regalia.
The supporters had blocked Mvumba Crescent, Dehwe Road, Magodo Road and Budiriro OK Rank.
This affected the movement of motorists and other members of the public who wanted to pass through.
The police officers engaged Costa Machingauta to disperse the supporters.
However, there was open resistance, with supporters chanting obscene and derogatory songs to the police officers.
In the process, the CCC youths went on to damage the doors of a certain house as they resisted arrest and allegedly stole a cellphone.
Twenty-four supporters were arrested. Costa Machingauta escaped arrest and later on handed himself to the police on 18th January 2023.
Suddenly Kudzayi Kadzere appeared on the scene in a private vehicle and clashed with the Police Reaction Group members who were taking the suspects to Budiriro Police Station.
Kudzayi Kadzere was then arrested for contravening section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. He was then put in the police truck.
In a bid to resist arrest, Kudzayi Kadzere jumped off the police truck. He sustained an injury on the right hand.
Police officers rearrested Kudzayi Kadzere and took him to Budiriro Police Station.
On arrival at the police station Kudzayi Kadzere openly declined to lodge a report against police officers.
He insisted that he was not assaulted by the police officers during the misunderstanding. Kadzere was then released to seek medical attention.
On the 15th of January 2023, Kudzayi Kadzere came back to Budiriro Police Station and had his warned and cautioned statement recorded.
On 17th January 2023, Kudzayi Kadzere changed his mind. He made a report of assault and theft at Budiriro Police Station.
This is despite the fact that he had initially declined to make a police report on the 14th of January 2023. The case is now under investigation.
It is clear that the information given to CCC members and later posted on social media platforms is tailor-made to suit a certain agenda whilst ignoring the real facts on the ground.
Kudzayi Kadzere knows the truth about what actually transpired between him and the police officers.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged Kudzayi Kadzere from 14th January 2023 up to the time he decided to change his mind.
The public should take note that, what Kudzayi Kadzere said to the police and the information which he is allegedly giving to the media, his peers and CCC leadership are not consistent.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reaffirms its readiness to interact and engage members of the legal fraternity in an open and transparent manner without facts being twisted to suit various agendas.