TWO senior members of the MDC-T in Bulilima and Mangwe area in Plumtree were on Tuesday summoned to Figtree Police Station for questioning after they held a meeting at a villager’s home, with authorities accusing them of not seeking permission. SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
The two are former Bulilima East legislator Norman Mpofu and Cephas Khanye, whose home was used as a venue for the meeting.
Mpofu told Southern Eye that police summoned them on Tuesday over the meeting they held at Khanye’s home on October 19.
He accused the police of abusing power, saying instead of them going to the place to investigate the claims, they were calling them to the station.
Mpofu said Khanye went ahead of him to the Figtree Police Station and when the he got there his colleague was still stuck at the station. The police said they were waiting for a Police Internal Security Intelligence officer, who was said to be out of the station.
“They questioned us about the meeting which they suspected we held without clearance,” Mpofu said.
“I explained that the meeting was attended by party officials and it was not a public meeting since it was held at a homestead.
“I indicated to them that meetings held in private and attended by only party members are excluded from being regulated under the Public Order and Security Act and under such circumstances, we are not compelled to notify the police.”
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He said the police just questioned them and after they explained their case, they were released without charge.
“What is of concern to me is the abuse of power here,” he said.
“It is becoming a trend in Bulilima and Mangwe for political activists to be abused in this manner.”
When contacted for comment, acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Sergeant Thabani Mkhwananzi said they had not received the report, indicating that maybe it was just a minor issue where police just wanted the members to clarify themselves over the meeting.
“We have not yet received such information, but I do not think that can be regarded as a serious issue,” he said.
