Heavily armed police to be deployed at political at political rallies

POLICE deployed at political meetings and rallies will now be heavily armed to defend themselves from attacks as 17 suspects have been picked in connection with the murder of an inspector.

Co-Minister of Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi yesterday said the decision was taken after Inspector Petros Mutedza was killed in Glen View by suspected MDC-T supporters on Sunday.

Insp Mutedza (42) died after being attacked by suspected MDC-T supporters while his colleague sustained injuries. The pair had gone to investigate an illegal meeting MDC-T youths were holding at Glen View 3 Shopping Centre.

In an interview in Harare yesterday, Minister Mohadi said police had been approaching groups of people, especially those holding illegal political meetings, unarmed.

"Let me tell the nation that the ZRP is going to defend itself because some people have declared war on us. We did not declare war on them," he said.

The minister warned the perpetrators of Sunday's attack who were still at large not to waste the force's time but to surrender themselves. He said they would hunt them down and bring them to book.

"Those who are still outstanding should come forward and surrender themselves because we will hunt them down even if they go into hiding. They should not waste time," he said.

Minister Mohadi said since the attainment of independence, there was never such a case like this, especially by a political party which claims to be a "champion of democracy".

"We are, however, going to leave no stone unturned until we apprehend the culprits involved. I would like to also warn those with similar tendencies to desist," he said.

Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri said: "At the moment I have a heavy heart. He (Insp Mutedza) sought peace . . . the officer was unarmed and was talking to people but the hooligans murdered him. Is this the way those people who say they want to rule this country (behave)?"

He said it was worrisome that Insp Mutedza had left a young family. Insp Mutedza was buried at his rural home in Mukumbura yesterday.

On Tuesday, police declared war on people who attacked their members as more suspects were arrested in connection with the murder.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said they had picked 17 suspects in connection with the case.

He said 10 had been confirmed to have participated in the attack and would appear in court soon.
The other seven were questioned and released.

On Tuesday speaking on behalf of Comm Gen Chihuri , Commissioner Charles Mfandaidza, said police would descend heavily on political elements bent on making the country ungovernable.
Declared Comm Mfandaidza: "Those who wish to live by the sword must be prepared to die by the sword."

He said it was disturbing that some political parties and civic organisations that claim to be masters of democracy and peace were at the forefront of causing violence. "As the organisation continues to lose its dedicated cadres who have either been killed or maimed during their tour of duty, it is my strong conviction that time has come for the Zimbabwe Republic Police to declare war against all unruly elements, be they criminals or misguided political malcontents," he said.