‘Government grossly intolerant of independent views’

By Tichaona Sibanda
09 November 2005

National Constitutional Assembly spokesperson Jessie Majome has accused the ruling Zanu (PF) regime of trying to instil fear in the hearts of its citizens by cracking down on any dissent.

Apart from making people afraid, said Majome, the government is also intimidating all other people so that they desist from taking to the streets and demonstrating against its failed policies.

Several NCA members have been in detention since last Saturday when they were arrested following protests to demand a new ‘people-based’ constitution.

NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku is one of those who is still in police custody after he handed himself to the Law and Order section on Tuesday.

The NCA has said the continued detention of its officials is a violation of their freedom, urging state security to release them as a matter of urgency.

‘These people have not committed any crime that warrants such ill-treatment. If the state thinks it has a genuine case against these Zimbabweans, they should take them to court,’ said Majome.