THERE was drama at Kwekwe Magistrates’ Courts last week
when police arrested a lawyer who had demanded access to his client arrested
for allegedly dealing in foreign currency.
The lawyer, Lenon Mapfumo, from Marufu Misi Law Chambers
was allegedly barred from seeing his client, Larry Munashe, who was detained at
Kwekwe Central Police Station by two police officers, Jasper Bvaure and
Brighton Nechitima.
When the lawyer was on his way to the police station, he
met the duo at the courts. He enquired about the whereabouts of his client in
line with Section 70(1)(d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which confers a
right on people to be legally represented by lawyers of their choice.
The officers threatened to arrest Mapfumo for disturbing
their peace, but the lawyer did budge.A scuffle ensued at the court premises,
where they tried to handcuff him and he resisted, drawing the attention of
other people.
Court business was brought to a halt as Mapfumo wrestled
with the two officers who had to use force by pinning him to the ground and
dragging him to the police
station.
Midlands police spokesperson Ethel Mukwende’s mobile phone
rang unanswered up to the time of going to print last night.
Mapfumo spent 24 hours in police cells and had to be
rescued by his colleagues, who demanded his release from police custody, where
the police tried to fine him for disorderly conduct, but he refused.
The matter, which was supposed to be heard in court on
Sunday, failed to take place after police indicated that they were still trying
to find witnesses. Newsday
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