The two opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) legislators,
Norman Mpofu and Lutho Tapela, were arrested after holding a consultative
meeting with the community in the western border town of Plumtree.
Two civic leaders in the town Helija Moyo and Edwin Ncube were also
arrested after helping organise the meeting that was held last Saturday.
The four were still being held in police cells by late Tuesday evening
but were expected to appear in court today to face charges of violating the
Public Order and Security Act that requires Zimbabweans to notify police
first before holding political gatherings or marches in public.
Gordon Moyo, the chairman of Bulawayo Agenda a local civic group that
works with the community in Plumtree, said: “We have never sought police
clearance to hold such office consultative meetings and it is clear that the
government has intensified its crackdown on the opposition and civic society
groups.
“The meeting was just like any office or company meeting and does not
require any police clearance.”
The MDC has in the past accused the police of using the security Act
to target ban its meetings and arrest its supporters and allies in a bid to
cripple the opposition’s push to dislodge President Robert Mugabe from
power. – ZimOnline.
Post published in: News