By Wezhira Munya
Today, ruthless armed Chiredzi police officers arrested eight CCC Chiredzi members at Tshovani stadium.
Commenting on the ban of the CCC rally today, Mrs. Mugidho, Chiredzi Mugwazo cluster leader, expressed her disappointment, stating, “We are highly disappointed by police brutality and the reason for stopping our Presidential rally. Zanu PF is campaigning without any police disruptions.”
The following CCC members (one female and seven males) are currently detained in cold Chiredzi police cells: Farai Chauke, Kudzanai Madyira, Charles Mungati, Gladmore Gunguwo, Shonhai Mollen, Loyd Mucharu, Agrippa Dhambureni, and Simon Hlomani.
Police officers are yet to lay charges against the above-mentioned CCC members.
Human rights lawyer Advocate Martin Mureri has been tasked with assisting the aforementioned CCC members in securing their freedom.
CCC Chiredzi Central aspiring member of parliament, Mr. Ropafadzo Makumire, condemned the arrest of CCC members who did not provoke the police.
Picture shows CCC Chiredzi Central aspiring member of parliament, Mr. Ropafadzo Makumire, negotiating with the police to refrain from firing tear gas at citizens.
He said, “The arrest of our peaceful and law-abiding CCC members breaches citizens’ bill of rights, particularly the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, as well as political participation.”
The police fired tear gas to disperse CCC members who had gathered at Tshovani stadium for a presidential rally.
President Nelson Chamisa was scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
The police arrived with guns, energetic police dogs, and armed police tankers to disperse the CCC members from Tshovani stadium. For nearly five hours, the areas around Tshovani stadium turned into a war zone, and tear gas smoke engulfed the entire Tshovani area.
One child from Chiredzi has been admitted to the hospital due to the effects of tear gas.
Mr. Makumire said, “Asthmatic residents have been greatly affected. A child from the community has been hospitalized because of tear gas exposure. Even those who were not part of the rally suffered from the careless behavior of the police.”
