iffe was present at a voter registration centre in Hatcliff. Chaos reigned supreme as hundreds of potential voters who had spent days in the voter registration queues were jostling to register on the last day of registration today. Frustrated by the slow pace of the registration process, the crowds suddenly surged forward, pushing and shoving each other as they craved to present their papers. Suddenly a group of police officers in riot squad gear and wielding baton sticks appeared and started assaulting the people. Elderly people and young women with children strapped at their backs were thoroughly beaten up and many suffered bruises as they scurried for safety.
Brighton was taking pictures when a member of the CIO arrested him and handed him over to some military officers who took him, presumably for questioning. His exact whereabouts are unknown and it is suspected that he may have been taken to Borrowdale police station. We believe that there is no good reason warranting the arrest of the Youth Secretary. Such action by the state’s security agency, of arbitrary arrests and detention are reminiscent of Apartheid era security operations where black people were arrested and detained without trial on mere “suspicion of harboring subversive thoughts’ It is shameful that 27 years after our Independence, Zimbabweans are still being subjected to such degrading, inhumane and unjust treatment. This incident, like many others before, saves to demonstrate the notoriety of repressive laws such as AIPPA and POSA which have become a total national disgrace on our statutes. The MDC once again strongly condemns these unjust and repressive laws and calls for their repeal.
Gabriel Chaibva
Secretary for Information and Publicity
More details on the matter may be obtained from the lawyers who are handling this matter, Mr Harrison Nkomo and Mr James Tsabora. They are contactable on:
0912-75-18-58 for Mr Harrison Nkomo and 0912-461-174 for James Tsabora