NCA spokesperson arrested and released without charge

By Tichaona Sibanda
05 January 2006

Last Maengahama, the National Constitutional Assembly’s deputy spokesperson was arrested and later released without charge by the police in Harare on Tuesday.

Police, who are linking Maengahama with a petrol bomb attack on a police officer in November last year, are also accusing him of inciting violence when he allegedly addressed an unauthorised meeting.

The outspoken MDC councillor for Glen View told us on Thursday police details raided his offices and then took him away to a police station where he spent 8 hours in custody.

He described the whole episode as a plot to intimidate and instil fear in the progressive forces fighting for a change in Zimbabwe.

‘Intimidation tactics no longer work, the regime should be the first to admit this. You cannot silence a progressive force if you do not address what he’s fighting for,’ said Maengahama.

In a statement the NCA said if the police were serious about the petrol bomb incident, they find it mind-boggling that it took them more than two months to arrest Maengahama.

The statement added that the NCA is concerned that the regime is living up to its promise that it would make life difficult for the organisation.