YAT said the suspected agents initially claimed that they wanted to see its Programmes Manager, Lawrence Mashungu, claiming they were friends, but when informed he was not around, proceeded to ask for the organisation’s Director, Fortune Nyamande.
“Four suspected security agents driving a white Toyota Corsa yesterday (Wednesday) invaded Youth Agenda Trust offices in Belvedere and demanded to see Programmes Manager Lawrence Mashungu.
“The four men misrepresented themselves as friends of Mashungu and claimed that they had an appointment with him. Upon realising that Mashungu was not there, they surprisingly asked for the Director Fortune Nyamande and other programmes officers,” YAT said.
YAT said the agents went on to try to get more information from the security officer manning the premises.
“When the agents were told that all were out in the field, then began asking the security officer questions on the activities the organisation was doing around elections especially the schedule of the Play Your Vote Sports Tournaments. The agents left after probing the security officer for about 30 minutes,” the youth organisation said.
YAT has been organising a number of sports tournaments for youths across the country in areas such as Uzumba, Mvurwi and Kwekwe to encourage young people to participate peacefully in the elections.
“YAT has since beefed up its security around the office and partners are advised to contact staff through e-mail and or mobile phones.
“YAT condemns this onslaught on Civil Society Organisations as a ploy to silence pro-democratic forces in the country. We will however remain defiant in the face of these attacks as we are aware that the status quo in the country’s political landscape is not willing to embrace democracy,” YAT said.
Six of YAT’s members were arrested in Glen View early this year for mobilising youths to register as voters during the mobile voter registration exercise. They were detained for 12 hours and charged with criminal nuisance. They were released after paying a $10 fine each.
Post published in: News