Riot police were out in full force on Saturday as President Robert Mugabe’s under-fire government sought to block protesters planning to stage fresh demonstrations calling for electoral reform and Mugabe’s resignation.
A coalition of opposition parties under the banner of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) is demanding reforms ahead of the 2018 election, when Mugabe, now aged 92, plans to stand again when he is 94 years old and the economy is in free-fall.
Kuwadzana
Kuwadzana MP Nelson Chamisa on Twitter – “Demo update..Kuwadzana unnecessarily turned into a war zone as police misstep to violate citizens’ rights.”
Nelson Chamisa – “On my way to waterfalls police station where MP Bunjira and others have been detained in connection with the National Election Reform Agenda demo …”
Nelson Chamisa – “MP Bunjira & others now just been taken from Waterfalls to Harare central Law & order.Charge not yet clear..”
Hatfield
MDC Deputy Treasurer General Chalton Hwende – “In Hatfield Police have just disrupted our procession and brutally attacked demonstrators. Over 10 activists have been taken into custody at Hatfield Police station. Some were seriously injured in the barbaric attack by the police. This came just after I addressed the demonstrators close to Parktown. We matched from Hatfield Kilwining Shops to Parktown.”
Mutare
Police in Mutare have arrested MP Saruwaka. He is detained at Mutare Central Police station. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have dispatched Ranga Mubata to represent him.
Dzivarasekwa
Six more people arrested in Dzivarasekwa including MDC-T District Youth Organizer Donnie and ward 39 Chairman Chipindu. They are detained at Dzivarasekwa Police station.
Bulawayo
Pictures from Gweru
Mkoba 3: Zimbabwe National Army trucks and heavily armed Police are harrassing demonstrators on their way to the venue.
Gwanda
About twenty people have just been arrested in Gwanda at the NERA demonstration that was disturbed by about 200 heavily armed anti riot police.
Amongst those arrested are MDC-T Member of Parliament Nomathemba Ndlovu.
Reports from the town indicate that the police are currently in the hunt for activist Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo who was leading the group in song and addressing them at the business centre in front of the heavily armed police.
Gwanda based human rights Lawyer Macalister Ncube on behalf of Abammeli Human Rights Lawyer is reportedly current at the police station seeking release of the arrested people.
Mashonaland East
Protesters are under siege as riot police has surrounded MDC T Provincial office in Marondera Central and the District Chairperson home was raided last night. All his clothes and phones were confisticated. In Maramba Pfungwe a black truck is making rounds at MDC T Povincial spokesperson homestead .In Mudzi MDC chairman slept in the bush last night after unidentified people were seen looking for him and threaten his family.
More updates and pictures as they come during the day……..
