“BEATINGS, ARRESTS WILL NOT DETER US” – VOWS NCA

 

Chivasa comments come when the police have assaulted, disrupted and arrested NCA’s members during two recent demonstrations held in Harare.

 

Last week over 20 members of the NCA were arrested during peaceful demonstrations that were held in central Harare.

 

 “Some 400 placard-waving NCA members gathered at Africa Unity Square in the centre of Harare and headed toward Fourth Street when police intercepted them beating and arresting some of them during the first day of the demonstrations.  

 

“However, despite the continued police brutality, the NCA will continue to mobilise its members and fight for a new people-driven constitution before next year’s elections,” Chivasa said in a telephone interview.

 

Chivasa said last week’s marches, which were led by NCA’s chairperson, Lovemore Madhuku, were called to protest the shroud of secrecy enveloping the South African led negotiations between the ruling ZANU PF party and the combined opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) parties.

 

He said the demonstrations were also against the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (Number 18) Act, which was passed recently.

 

Soon after the two demonstrations, demonstrating some NCA members were picked up by the police and members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in central Harare and detained before they were brutally assaulted at Harare Police Station.

 

Chivasa said 22 of them were received treatment from the beatings at a private clinic in Harare following their release from police custody on Thursday night.

 

“The irony is that the 22 members were assaulted while South African president, Thabo Mbeki, was in the country to make updates on the progress of the talks between the MDC and the ruling ZANU PF regime.

 

“The assaults came hardly hours before Mugabe vehemently denied that violence still exists in Zimbabwe and claimed that it is a figment of the opposition so as to please their ‘masters’,” Chivasa said.

 

He said the brutal attacks by the regime on 11 March, 25 July, 21 and 22 November have actually strengthened the NCA’s cause.

 

“The struggle continues, and we are indeed ready to die for a new, democratic and people driven constitution” Chivasa said.