Harare - The Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) has suspended outreach meetings in Harare following violence in which guns were used to frighten away members of the Movement for Democratic Change in the volatile Mbare suburb.COPAC national co-ordinator, Peter Kunjeku said in a statement on Wednesday that the drastic move – unprecedented since the outreach meetings began several months ago – had been taken following a meeting of the Management Committee, which includes negotiators of Zanu (PF), MDC-T and MDC.
“The resolution was arrived at after considering that allegations and counter-allegations had been made by the parties relating to the manner and the atmosphere in which some of the meetings were held,” Kunjeku said.
Violence broke out in Mbare at the weekend as Zanu (PF) militants and intelligence agents waved guns at people wishing to take part in the outreach meeting at Mai Musodzi Hall.
Initial reports suggested that two people had been killed in the violence but this has been denied by police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena.
However, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told a media conference that one of the party’s supporters, Chrispen Mandizvidza had been killed.
“The management committee noted that having regard to the allegations of intimidation, threats and violence, in some instances allegedly resulting in the aborting of some meetings, the atmosphere might not have been conducive to the free expression by some participants. In the circumstances, the Management Committee resolved to suspend the outreach programme in Harare,” said Kunjeku.
Post published in: World News