Police summon producer of Vapostori film

Police have allegedly summoned theatre producer Silvanos Mudzvova over the launch of his KuMasowe play DVD scheduled for Thursday in Harare.

Although police were not immediately available for comment, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has reporterd that its lawyers are currently accompanying Mudzvova to Harare Central Police Station.

The play caricatures the recent beating up of police officers by members of the Johane Masowe apostolic sect in Budiriro in June.

In an early interview, Mudzvova said though comical, the portrayal in the film was aimed at raising important issues that are often forgotten whenever people talk about the issue.

The story opens with police officers engaging an official who seeks to regulate the operations of Vapostori.

The junior police officers are taken from a roadblock and are overtaken by their zeal and fail to consider pertinent issues before they engage.

"Unbeknown to them, in the Vapostori camp are ex-convicts that are seeking redemption from spirits of violence, disgruntled vendors and kombi drivers who are trying to get assistance at the church after numerous losses caused by the police, among others," Mudzvova said.

"People go to Masowe for different reasons and the bulk of the people on this particular scene are out of jail courtesy of the presidential amnesty.

"So the inexperienced lunge into the deep end without knowledge."

Mudzvova said one of the film's ideals was to change the mindset with which people think of Vapostori.

The film will also feature award-winning stunner actress Nyaradzo Nhongonhema (Madzimai Spiwe), Eddington Hatitongwe (Officer Chamvari), Olivia Chipindu (Officer Chigudu) and Moses Kawara (Officer Kepekepe).