Valentine Makufa
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Masvingo provincial chair Martin Mureri has expressed concern over arbitrary arrest of the opposition party’s activists by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) as a clear violation of basic rights amounting to political victimization.
Mureri who is also a human rights lawyer made the remark following alleged arrest of about 20 CCC supporters on August 14 on their way to Mucheke Stadium where party leader Nelson Chamisa held a ‘Thank You’ rally for the March 26 by-elections victory.
According to Mureri police arrested members who were transporting others from Mashava to Mucheke stadium using their own vehicle .
“Yes I can confirm that more than 20 CCC supporters were arrested yesterday (August 14). They were released without paying fine but their vehicles were kept and released later.
“This is just political victimization as these supporters were not doing business through commuting; rather they were transporting other supporters to the venue for free. Zanu PF is panicking and trying by all means to stop opposition gatherings especially CCC,” added Mureri.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa could not confirm the arrests saying the matter has not reached his office by time of writing.
ZRP has on a number of occasions been accused of cracking down on opposition party supporters and victimizing them.
CCC rally that was set for Chipinge on August 13 was banned by the police and leader Nelson Chamisa had to abandon the journey to Manicaland province.
