TellZim Reporter
CHIREDZI – The Zimbabwe Republic Police in Chiredzi, after banning the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) election campaign launch in Tshovani Stadium, where its leader, Nelson Chamisa was expected to address this week threw teargas to innocent civilians who stay close to the stadium and school children who were coming from school.
The police banned the rally saying they were under resourced to provide security during the rally but managed to throw teargas canisters to disperse party supporters who had camped outside the stadium to meet Chamisa who was expected to address them.
When contacted for comment, National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he would need to get information of what transpired from the police command in Masvingo.
“I will have to check with police command in Masvingo to be able to comment on the matter,” said Nyathi.
However, TellZim News witnessed the fiasco where a number of people including the elderly had torrid time in breathing as they were affected by the smoke.
Chiredzi Town Council Vice Chairperson and Chiredzi Central CCC aspiring candidate, Ropafadzo Makumire confirmed the incident and said he doesn’t know why the police decided to use teargas in residential area after spending several hours with party supporters who were waiting to meet Chamisa.
He said they suspect that the police could have been ordered by their bosses in Masvingo or Harare.
“This wasn’t their idea, there was an invisible hand behind. They had spent several hours with us, though we were barred from entering Tshovani Stadium, they never raised a single button stick to anyone,”
“We were shocked as to how they later decided to fire tear gas in a residential area? It seems Zanu PF was controlling our peace loving officers,” Makumire said.
He went on to say a number of people were affected and had to be rushed to hospital.
“Several people were hospitalized after inhaling the gas. What bothers us mainly is CCC is being treated this way when Zanu PF is holding meetings without interference from the police,” said Makumire.
In banning, the gathering police said they had channeled resources towards the official commissioning of Gwaseche Clinic and Rusununguko where Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira was expected to come.
“Your Notification has been noted, unfortunately there will be a state occasion on 05/07/23 for the official opening of Rusununguko Clinic in Chiredzi by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution where all resources are focused. Your notification has not been approved in terms of Section 8 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act Chapter 11:23,” read the Police response written by Chief Superintended Chihwereva.
Chamisa was said to be coming from Chikombedzi and would make a stop in Tshovane, however, the police locked the stadium and people had to wait outside.
Sensing an imminent threat from the numbers of people, the police ordered people to go back home and disperse from the stadium. Some abided and some tried to resist forcing the ‘under resourced’
The smoke managed to force them to retreat into the residential area and the police went on to fire more gas canisters in homes, affecting innocent residents and school children and as well as those who were coming from work along Warth Road.
Areas along Chigarapasi Beerhall which is close to the Stadium along Warth Road to Tshovani Primary were all choked with tear gas, forcing many to vacate their homes.
This comes after the Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ) with some members of the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) have been allegedly going around tearing and spray painting campaign posters for Ropafadzo Makumire, who is standing in for CCC in Chiredzi Central Constituency.
