Three MDC officials were arrested on Wednesday at Maungwa Business Centre in Gutu, Masvingo on charges of violating the draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

The three, Gutu South chairperson James Makovere, organising secretary for the constituency Alderman Jeffrey Tangemhare and Islam Matose were arrested while conducting a meeting with MDC members from Gutu South constituency. They are detained at Gutu Police Station and are being charged with holding a public meeting without a police clearance.

The police officers were accompanied by a known Central Intelligence Organisation operative from Gutu.

Masvingo provincial vice-chairperson, Hon. Ransom Makamure condemned the arrest and called on the police to immediately release the trio since the arrests were unlawful and unwarranted.  Hon. Makamure is the MP for Gutu East.

“We know that the POSA applies to public gatherings not in-house meetings. The event does not warrant police clearance, neither does it require notification of the police. As such, we are calling for the immediate release of our members,” said Hon. Makamure.

“We heard that they approached one of our staff members and accused him of defying police authority. This event is yet another illustration of the police’s refusal to execute their duties in an objective manner,” he said.

When contacted, police in Gutu referred all the questions to the provincial headquarters where an officer in the public relations office said he was not the responsible person to comment on the issue as his boss was out office.

The people’s struggle for real change – Lets finish it!!!