Fredrick Moyo
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) over the weekend cracked on Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members who were holding party meetings on February 19 in Masvingo Urban’s ward 4 (Mucheke) as well as carrying out door to door campaigns in Ward 7 (Rujeko).
A total of 17 CCC members including ward 4 and 7 by-election candidates Richard Musekiwa and Aleck Tabe respectively, together with Jeffreyson Chitando were arrested and taken to Masvingo Central police station where they were later charged with criminal nuisance and fined ZW $2 000 each.
Human Rights Lawyer Advocate Martin Mureri of Matutu and Mureri Legal Practitioners who represented them said the charges did not hold much water as it is election time and people are campaigning.
“The charges do not hold water because it is election time and people are campaigning, so how do you charge people with criminal nuisance? They are just victimising people,” said Mureri.
Ward 7 candidate Richard Musekiwa said he was not happy with the manner police were discharging their duties because they were arrested while holding door to door campaigns in the ward.
“We were holding door to door campaigns and the police came in their numbers and armed at my house. They said we should go with them to the police station and we will talk when we arrive there after I asked about the crime we had committed.
“They later charged us with criminal nuisance and I really do not know how the police operate, but what they did is not the right way to do it. They left my family members and neighbours traumatised with the way they approached us holding guns,” said Musekiwa.
Ward 4 candidate Aleck Tabe said the police are shutting down the democratic space in Zimbabwe while other parties are being allowed to carry out their campaigns without being arrested or harassed.
“It is a shame that ZANU PF and the police continue to shut down the democratic space for Zimbabweans. As a candidate, I should be allowed to freely campaign without fear and intimidation.
“Police as a regulating body, should treat all political parties equally, as ZANU PF is being accorded that opportunity to freely campaign while we are being victimised,” said Tabe.
CCC members have been frequenting the courts on different allegations, with the opposition party accusing law enforcement agents of being partisan in executing their duties and applying the law selectively.
