Some political activists and MDC Alliance members who are on the police wanted list released yesterday have defied the call for interviews with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Law and Order as they allege that they are not job hunting and adhering to COVID-19 regulations.
Police yesterday announced it was hunting for 14 activists who include Promise Mkananzi of the Tajamuka fame, MDC Alliance members Makomborero Haruziviishe, Godfrey Kurauone, Ostallos Siziba, councillor Denford Ngadziore, Allan Moyo and youth leader Obey Sithole.
The list also includes National Patriotic Front official Jimmy Kunaka, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Peter Mutasa, ARTUZ secretary-general Robson Chere, MDC-Alliance youth spokesperson Stephen Chuma and Godfrey Tsenengamu, leader of Front for Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe (FEEZ) who are allegedly wanted in connection with the 31 July demonstration.
ZRP released the list soon after ZanuPFacting Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa had earlier labelled the MDC and political activists “terrorists” while accusing them of getting funding from the US Embassy to unseat the President Emmerson Mnangagwa led government.
However, most of the wanted persons have spoken out saying they will not be going to the ZRP offices for the interviews as they were employed and not looking for jobs while others noted that due to COVID-19 movement restrictions, the interviews should be done online or telephonically.
“As far as I am concerned and from where I stand, I have never applied for any job with the ZRP I am employed by the government already as a passionate and dedicated teacher. It is enough for me so I don’t need any interview with the police,” ARTUZ’s Chere said in a statement.
He further called on the government to respect the social distancing directive it gave.
Chere vowed not to avail himself to “a reckless, ill-advised and unnecessary interview,” while urging the police to call him.
He further denied being the ringleader of the demonstrations.
Jacob Ngarivhume, who has since been arrested, was the face of the demonstration and his arrest left a “leadership vacuum” for the 31 July demonstration.
“In case the interview materializes telephonically, my answer is clear. I am not the cause of any demonstration. Corruption, poverty and dictatorship are the causes. Not me. Let them address those issues and there will be no demonstration,” Chere further stated.
MDC Alliance youth leader, Obey Sithole posted on his Facebook page that “In this COVID-19 era, interviews are better done online.”
Another activist Makomborero Haruziveshe said he was looking for President Emmerson Mnangagwa over what he termed serial murders.
“I am also looking for Emmerson Mnangagwa to interview him over serial murders, robbery, corruption and subversion of the constitution crimes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts please inbox me immediately,” he fired.
Former Zanu-PF Youth leader Tsenengamu said he was unfazed by the call as he has walked the path before.
“Arrested six times between 2015 and 2017 on political charges. Handikwate magaba semhembwe (I’m not afraid like a deer),’ he said in a Twitter post.
The government has been descending hard on the demonstration with Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa issuing a stern warning to those who will demonstrate.
Yesterday Zanu-PF announced that it will beat up protestors on the day in “defence of the nation”
The 31 July demonstration has been gathering steam on social media with multitudes committing to taking part but the fear has been on the surge of COVID-19 cases and the government says it will come hard on those who will take to the streets as it accuses them of deliberately spreading the virus.
