The CIO allegedly threatened the owners of the private social club Hellenics community with closure had they allowed the opposition party to go ahead with the meeting.
Pishai Muchauraya the MDC Manicaland spokesperson said the party had got police clearance to hold the meeting but expressed shock at the stoppage of the meeting at the last minute.
“This is absurd since we got a police clearance and we are told we cannot go ahead with our planned meeting. The government is desperate and is not stopping at anything which they think is aimed at undermining its authority,” Muchauraya said.
Muchauraya said the meeting was to update the business community in Mutare of the developments within the MDC and the talks between the party and the ruling Zanu PF.
About a dozen state security agents milled around the venue of the meeting while invited guests arrived and waited in vain for the meeting to proceed.
As the gate into the venue of the meeting was closed, MDC Manicaland treasurer later addressed them outside informing them of the developments.
“We cannot go ahead with the meeting as the CIO have visited owners of Hellenics Club thrice and warned them against allowing us to go ahead with the gathering.
James said the state security agents had in addition threatened to take over the running of the club if the MDC was granted the venue which they had booked.
“In fear the club shut on us and locked the gates,” he said.
Mutare Central legislator Innocent Gonese who was at the venue for the meeting said the motive of the closure of club to the part was an indication of the Zanu PF government’s hypocrisy.
“If this happens for a mere meeting we wonder what will happen when we are in elections. We cannot expect this (Zanu PF) government to honestly allow the holding of free and fair elections come 2008,” said Gonese, a lawyer by profession.
Hellenics Society Club officials refused to comment on the matter when contacted for a comment-CAJ News.
Post published in: News