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By Staff
Reporter
A
ZIMBABWEAN businessman who police say insulted President Robert Mugabe
has been arrested under tough security laws which bar any remarks "undermining
the authority or insulting" the 82-year-old leader.
Tichaona Muchabaiwa, a director at a local fuel supply business, was arrested at the weekend on charges of uttering abusive words about Mugabe after being stopped at a police checkpoint on Monday.
Comoil managing director Muchabaiwa, in custody, is expected to appear in court on Wednesday. A conviction could bring up to two years in jail, although in practice most cases result in suspended sentences or requirements for public service.
"The suspect was very uncooperative, abusive and made derogatory remarks against the president of Zimbabwe," police spokesman Andrew Phiri said.
Phiri said that he would also be charged with resisting arrest. He urged the public to co-operate fully with police manning roadblocks countrywide.
And Phiri warned: "The police would like to warn and urge members of the public to bear with police officers manning roadblocks.
"We are aware of the delays and inconvenience caused to some travellers
but, regrettably, the police have a duty to perform."
Police had mounted roadblocks to search people who might be moving with large sums of old bearer cheques and as part of enforcing traffic regulations during the Heroes' and Defence Forces holidays.
Critics say Mugabe,
in power since independence from Britain, is using security laws to
deflect criticism amid a growing economic crisis that has seen inflation
and unemployment skyrocket. - Reuters/Sapa
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