David Antony Chimhini (centre)
Tinomutenda Midzi in Mutare
24 Feb 2017 – MUTARE – MDC-T Manicaland provincial chairperson, David Antony Chimhini has denied that he ever ran away from the police following his arrest last week on allegations of inciting public violence and evading arrest during an unsanctioned NERA demonstration held on September 17, 2016.
Chimhini was released the next day after the court ruled that the case must continue by way of summons.
The Mutasa North legislator told TellZim News that police picked him up saying he ran away when they swooped on demonstrators and arrested party provincial spokesperson Trevor Saruwaka.
“The police said I took part in the demonstration and went into hiding last year but that is not true. I have always been around. The State said I will come to court by way of summons so I will wait to hear from them,” he said.
Takudzwa Magwere, MDC-T Provincial Youth Organising Secretary said it all started when the party restricted the number of police officers who could enter into a consultative meeting that party president Morgan Tsvangirai was addressing at Mutare Hall.
“Many supporters came to attend the meeting with President Tsvangirai but the space inside was limited. Ten police officers were available to maintain order but we could only let in two of them because of space limitations.
“Hon Chimhini was then called by the police who said he was facing charges of barring police from entering. He explained that the space inside was limited and they shifted to the NERA allegations,” Magwere said.politics