By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
There was a no-show for the State House march that had been urged for Saturday, as protest leaders distanced themselves from the planned demonstration.
Instead, prominent organisers of the protests that rocked Zimbabwe for about a week announced that they were turning themselves over to the police who have been looking for them.
National Vendors’ Union (NAVUZ) chairperson, Sten Zvorwadza handed himself over to the law enforcers on Friday.
His lawyer, Obey Shava of Mbidzo, Muchadehama and Makoni Legal Practitioners, confirmed the development and said Zvorwadza was wanted ‘for his involvement with the masses who demonstrated this week”.
He expressed surprise, though, why the police wanted him since the constitution allows citizens to protest peacefully.
Another protest leader, Promise Mkwananzi, told local media that he had learnt he was on the police wanted list and said he was consulting with his lawyers before surrendering himself.
“I am currently consulting with my lawyers and am going to present myself to the Law and Order Department. I am handing over myself to the police with a clear conscience because everything that I am doing is above board,” said Mkwananzi.
He, however, said he was not part of the Takamuka group that called on Zimbabweans to march to State House to demand President Robert Mugabe’s immediate resignation, noting: “We are not part of that group”.
Zvorwadza called a media briefing on Friday and also denied he had urged the State House march.
“We are not part of that group intending to march to State House and we are saying to Zimbabweans, do not be part of lawlessness. Everything that we do should be peaceful,” Zvorwadza said.
He led the recent occupation of Rainbow Towers, protesting against the long stay, since December 2014, of Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko at the hotel at the expense of taxpayers. Nehanda Radio
