HARARE - Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena“There is nothing to talk about,” Bvudzijena said as soon as he was told about the MDC allegations. “If people violate the law do you want us to leave them?” However, when told that the police were disrupting meetings which they themselves had approved, he maintained: “We’re just enforcing the law.
The law is very clear.” When pressed on why the police were using violence and disproportionate force to disperse peaceful gatherings, Bvudzijena said: “We’re not inhuman.” But when asked why Zanu (PF) was allowed to hold meetings without
police approval, Bvudzijena switched off the phone.
Zimbabwe is again in crisis after the police acted heavy-handedly to disrupt MDC meetings across the country last weekend. Two pastors and 11 congregants were arrested and an MDC youth leader disappeared after the cops raided a prayer meeting in Glen Norah.
A memorial service at Warren Hills cemetery, attended by Tsvangirai was similarly disrupted by the police and Zanu (PF) youths throwing stones, while several sanctioned meetings around the country were stopped. The MDC’s provincial elections in Bulawayo could not be completed after the police moved in to stop the meeting.
The police actions are part of concerns raised by the MDC at a recent meeting of SADC. Although President Robert Mugabe had agreed to abide by the regional bodys ruling that he must rein in his forces, the situation appears to have worsened since the meeting two weeks ago.
Post published in: News