Police in Masvingo accused of spying for Zanu (PF)

By Tichaona Sibanda
22 June 2006

A national council member of the Tsvangirai MDC faction, Bernard Chiondegwa, has accused police in Masvingo province of abusing their powers by passing on information about MDC activities to local Zanu (PF) legislators.

Chiondegwa, who is also treasurer for the province said police officers are blatantly and openly alerting government ministers or MP’s about any forthcoming events organised by the MDC in their constituencies.

‘Because we are obliged by the law to seek police clearance four days before we can have a rally or meeting in any area, what they simply do is pass on that information to Zanu (PF) who respond by organising their own meetings at the same venue and same time. In the end we are forced to cancel all our meetings or rallies,’ Chiondegwa said.

He added; ‘Instead of policing the country, the police force is now spying against its law abiding citizens. They have effectively become part and parcel of the CIO.’

Despite efforts by the regime to block all avenues for the MDC to go in to it’s 14 districts in its outreach programme in Masvingo, Chiondegwa is happy that they have managed to ‘keep the fire burning’ against all odds.

‘No matter how hard they try to stop us, we always have a plan B in all our efforts to reach our members and I can tell you the level of discontent, discord and disgruntlement against Zanu (PF) in Masvingo has reached a boiling point,’ he said.