Police ban visits to ailing MDC activist

Police ban visits to ailing MDC activist

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By Staff Reporter

POLICE in Zimbabwe's second largest city of Bulawayo arrested an opposition legislator Sunday, and four others, on charges of holding an "illegal meeting".

A spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said Monday that Mpopoma/Pelandaba MP Milford Gwetu and four party activists, including a 75-year-old woman, were detained in Nkulumane, before being transferred to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

The party's lawyers were trying to secure their release.

Also arrested with the MP was the party's vice chairperson for Bulawayo province, Litshe Keswa, the councilor for ward 24 (Nketa) Ndaniso Mpande, 75-year-old Alitia Moyo and Andreas Nkomo, councilor for ward 6 (Nketa).

They were arrested while meeting at Moyo's house, the party said in a statement.

The statement added: "The five were arrested under (POSA) for allegedly holding an illegal meeting. Incidentally, Hon Gwetu and the other three officials had visited Moyo who has not been well.

"The five were arrested outside her house as they were leaving. They were accused by the police of having been holding an illegal meeting."

Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, the MDC's deputy secretary general said: "The MDC condemns such flagrant violation of the rights of citizens to associate. It is shocking and disgusting that the police shamelessly dragged a 75-year-old ailing woman to the cells on the flimsy allegation that she hosted an unauthorised meeting in her home.

"For the record, Moyo had received colleagues in her home, who had come to console her during the ill state of her health.

She added: "When people tell the world that Zimbabweans are being denied freedom of association and that Zimbabwe is a nation under siege as a result of state promoted draconian legislation such as POSA and AIPPA, this is exactly what they mean. No society is expected to enjoy peace and tranquility under legislations such as POSA and AIPPA."
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