The Nelson Chamisa led Movement for Democratic Change yesterday approached the High Court to stop the police from interfering with their business following the barricading of their party headquarters over alleged ‘plans to destabilize the country.’
In their court papers, the MDC sought an order to interdict Home Affairs minister Cain Mathema, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Officer Commanding Police Harare Central District to bar riot police from invading the Morgan Tsvangirai house.
The opposition party accused police of deliberately planting the riot police gear to justify a crackdown.
The matter later took a new twist after one businessman Mitchel Chibwe claimed ownership of the helmets.
Meanwhile, the MDC has alleged an attempt to use the state apparatus to destabilize the party through blocking their meetings and planting fake evidence to justify a crackdown.
In a letter to Matanga, MDC Secretary General, Charlton Hwende said the MDC was worried by the constitutional violations by the police, who looked bent on undermining the opposition by effectively putting them under lock down.
“We write to bring to your attention and seek an explanation concerning the unlawful prohibition of our internal party meetings by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” part of the letter to Matanga reads.
Hwende requested a meeting with Matanga and his team over the constitutional violations, which saw all party activities including a planned shutdown demonstrations being banned in nine provinces.
