ZRP Statement About Violent Attack On NCA Members “False” – Madhuku

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader Lovemore Madhuku has rejected police assertions that his party sought official clearance to hold a meeting at its Harare offices, insisting the gathering was entirely lawful and did not require prior approval.

Madhuku spoke at a press conference at the NCA offices in the capital on Monday, a day after what he described as a “brutal and unprovoked” attack by suspected State security agents, which left him and 17 party members hospitalised.

In a statement released on Sunday night, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi claimed that Madhuku and his team had notified the relevant authorities about their intended meeting. Added Nyathi:

“Upon reviewing the notification, the regulating authority identified certain irregularities and engaged the National Constitutional Assembly convener and advised him that the meeting was not sanctioned.

“As such, no police personnel were deployed to oversee or monitor the meeting in question.”

However, Madhuku rejected Nyathi’s statement, insisting that the meeting was an internal party gathering held at their own offices and did not require police clearance. He said:

“We did not seek clearance because there was no legal requirement to do so. This was a meeting at our offices.

“The police statement is false and meant to justify an unlawful and violent attack on unarmed citizens.”

More: NewsDay

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