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Madhuku slams police over 'false' claims on NCA meeting
2 hrs ago |
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National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku has strongly rejected police assertions that his party sought clearance for a meeting at its Harare offices, insisting the gathering was lawful and required no prior approval.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Madhuku described the attack on him and 17 party members the previous day as "brutal and unprovoked," leaving several attendees hospitalized.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi had claimed that Madhuku and his colleagues notified authorities of the planned meeting, but that irregularities were identified and the gathering was deemed unsanctioned.
Madhuku dismissed these claims, stating the gathering was an internal party meeting held at NCA's own offices, and therefore there was no legal obligation to seek police clearance.
"We did not seek clearance because there was no legal requirement to do so. This was a meeting at our offices. The police statement is false and meant to justify an unlawful and violent attack on unarmed citizens," Madhuku said.
The incident has intensified concerns about the treatment of opposition and civil society groups in Zimbabwe, with critics arguing that the attack reflects a pattern of intimidation against those challenging government policies.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Madhuku described the attack on him and 17 party members the previous day as "brutal and unprovoked," leaving several attendees hospitalized.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi had claimed that Madhuku and his colleagues notified authorities of the planned meeting, but that irregularities were identified and the gathering was deemed unsanctioned.
Madhuku dismissed these claims, stating the gathering was an internal party meeting held at NCA's own offices, and therefore there was no legal obligation to seek police clearance.
"We did not seek clearance because there was no legal requirement to do so. This was a meeting at our offices. The police statement is false and meant to justify an unlawful and violent attack on unarmed citizens," Madhuku said.
The incident has intensified concerns about the treatment of opposition and civil society groups in Zimbabwe, with critics arguing that the attack reflects a pattern of intimidation against those challenging government policies.
Source - Newsday
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