MDC leader Nelson Chamisa faces arrest after an unnamed
person made a counter police report of attempted kidnapping and assault at
Marondera Police Station.
This came shortly after Chamisa’s security team had also
filed a report at Mabvuku Police Station, alleging there had been an attempt to
abduct the opposition leader by suspected State operatives as he made his way
from a rally.
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, in a statement
yesterday, however, dismissed claims that there had been an attempt on
Chamisa’s life by State security agents, describing the incident as a simple
case of road rage.
She said the owner of a Toyota Harrier involved in the incident
was the one who was blocked by Chamisa’s security team and attacked, leading to
him reporting the matter to the police.
“Reports filed by the police indicate that some people were
coming from Marondera, driving behind what they later learnt to be Mr Chamisa’s
convoy.
Suddenly, the convoy stopped and blocked them from
overtaking. They were aggressively confronted and manhandled by members of Mr
Chamisa’s entourage, including Mr Chamisa, who lobbed himself at the back seat
of their vehicle, punching and scratching,” Mutsvangwa said.
She said the real victims of the attack were civilians in
the Toyota Harrier who had no links with State security and added that the
police were carrying out further investigations.
MDC vice-president Morgen Komichi accused the government of
putting a spin to the saga to save its face after their planned abduction plot
was unmasked in broad daylight by Chamisa’s security team.
“We know of a plot by government and Zanu PF to eliminate
the top leadership of the party. The incident, which happened on Saturday, is
not isolated. In fact, government, through the police, are aware of several
other incidents already reported to the police in Avondale and Harare Central,”
he said.
The MDC vice-president said those who had been tailgating
Chamisa were using number plates of cars that would have crashed in accidents
or taken from their owners by State agents, and those number plates have been
handed over to the police, who have failed to investigate.
“MDC supporters are used to this abuse of State resources
to favour the ruling party. When our supporters are attacked and they report to
the police, it is them who are arrested. The police use their monopoly on legal
force to bear on the victims and this is what is happening now,” he said.
Komichi said there was an attempt on Chamisa’s life when
the hired hand behind the wheel of the Toyota Harrier tried to cause an
accident involving Chamisa’s convoy, adding that the statement by government
showed that they had already placed blame and concluded investigations.
MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said Chamisa had been
attacked by State security personnel on his way from Marondera in a failed
abduction.
“We had an altercation with the CIO. They then blocked the
convoy and tried to retrieve Chamisa from the presidential car. Our security
managed to block them from taking him or part of his personnel,” he said,
adding they would reveal more details at today’s Press conference.
Mutsvangwa, however, denied that any government agents
acted in any way to threaten Chamisa’s life or abduct him during his trip from
Marondera.
“Government would like to categorically state that neither
the intelligence services nor any security services or any government arm owns
the Toyota Harrier in the video. A quick check at the Central Vehicle Registry
would show the media or any interested parties who the owner of the Toyota
Harrier is,” she said.
Last month, Chamisa said his life was under threat, with
“suspicious vehicles” trailing his movements in what his party described as a
serious violation of his right to personal security.
The opposition party said it suspected those trailing their
leader had military and intelligence links.
At the time, Mafume said there was increased surveillance
on his boss, but warned if anything happened to Chamisa, they would hold the
State accountable.
In the latest incident, MDC claimed State security agents
tried to snatch Chamisa and a fracas ensued between the suspected abductors and
Chamisa’s security team in Ruwa, a few kilometres from Harare.
This was after about six vehicles had reportedly followed
Chamisa’s convoy from Marondera, where he had addressed thousands of supporters
at a “thank you” rally at Rudhaka Stadium. Newsday
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