MDC MP in fifth day of detention over alleged protest plans
By Lance Guma
18 December 2006

The Member of Parliament for Glen View Paul Madzore is still being held in police custody 5 days after he was arrested on allegations of engaging in public violence. Four MDC youths are also being held over the same charges. According to his wife who went to visit him at Harare’s remand prison on Monday the MP was arrested last week Wednesday following what the state called an attempt to force people in his constituency not to go to work. Mai Madzore told Newsreel her husband is moving around in tight leg irons and when she saw him his legs were visibly swollen.

The legislator was initially being held at Harare Central Police station Wednesday through to Thursday last week. Soon after his court hearing on Friday where he was denied bail he was moved to the remand prison. State prosecutors allege that Madzore organised youths from the MDC headquarters to produce flyers that were distributed in various suburbs calling on people to stay-away from their work places in protest at the escalating cost of living. The group is also alleged to have met on the 12th of December and barricaded roads using boulders and stones to stop people from from going to work.

Last week Newsreel reported how a truckload of soldiers arrived at High Glen shopping centre and beat up commuters in an attempt to remove the same stones and boulders. Madzore’s wife maintains they are targeting the MP because they believe he wields influence in the area and that since he is the Organising Secretary nothing could have been done without his knowledge. She complained of not being given enough time to speak to her husband and inquire about his welfare saying she only got time to give him food. His lawyer Alec Muchadehama is expected to launch a bail application in the High Court but this is only expected to be heard Wednesday. This means Madzore will spend another 2 days in custody.