CIOs block Mujuru from attending church

Suspected State security agents blocked opposition leader Joice Mujuru from attending a church meeting in Chinhoyi.
 
Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives summoned heads of various churches gathered outside the Anglican Church's St Paul's Parish at Gadzema Township and ordered them to disperse or face unspecified punitive action.

The women, clad in church garb of their respective denominations, quickly left the scene.
Mujuru arrived around midday only to find the venue gates locked, while a few party members were still milling around to welcome her.

ZimPF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday described the incident as "undemocratic" and "an act of desperation by the Zanu PF regime".

"It is most unfortunate that CIO operatives stopped the interdenominational meeting. We don't expect this to happen in a democratic Zimbabwe. It violates the Constitution, the rights of the people as well as the churches.

"It is a violation of the Constitution to disrupt religious organisations from carrying out their functions," Gumbo said.

A female congregant, who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation, said a known intelligence operative had threatened to harm them if they remained defiant. She said the spy agent also ordered them "not to entertain Mujuru and her Western puppets".