Police harrass Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:       Sungai Mazando, Communications Secretary

mazando@tz.co.zw or  communications@tz.co.zw or +263 773 425 250

 PASTORS DETAINED BY POLICE IN NYANGA AFTER ATTENDING A PRAYER MEETING ORGANISED BY TRANSFORM ZIMBABWE

Bishop Nerwande of Holy Cross church in Mangongondoza township together with his associate pastors Mr and Mrs Makawamadze were detained by police in Nyanga yesterday, after attending a prayer meeting organised by Transform Zimbabwe. The men of cloth were detained for more than 4 hours during which they were subjected to unwarranted interrogation. Their alleged involvement and any involvement of their church members in Transform Zimbabwe affairs and structures were thoroughly quizzed. The necessary condition for the establishment of a democracy involves securing an equal distribution of political power and voice among all citizens. Transform Zimbabwe seeks to awaken the hitherto inconspicuous but game changing voice of the church in Zimbabwean politics through enlightening the church of its role in the political discourse, as the party was founded from a prayer organisation.

Police and CIOs also nicodemously abducted a member of Transform Zimbabwe, Mrs Pauline Mutasa, form her house on the 20th of June at 2200hrs in Nyanga. The member had been active in spearheading a well-attended meeting which was held in Nyanga on the 19th of June 2014. Her whereabouts were only confirmed this morning. The abduction had left her 9yr old child alone, traumatised, confused and vulnerable in the cold of the winter night as she is the sole guardian. Sgt Rushwaya, head of peace department at Nyanga Police station could not immediately reveal the reasons for detaining Mrs Mutasa. Mrs Mutasa, a teacher at a local school, expressed shock and dismay at the abduction and denies any wrong-doing. Transform Zimbabwe members in Nyanga are currently living in fear of further reprisals after the successful hosting of TZ meetings in the area.

It has been a hectic past couple of weeks for Transform Zimbabwe characterised by successful grassroots efforts ironically rewarded by abductions, harassment and interrogation in areas like Binga, Nyanyadzi, Chimanimani and most recently in Nyanga. Transform Zimbabwe has beenPolice and CIOs also nicodemously abducted a member of Transform Zimbabwe, Mrs Pauline Mutasa, form her house on the 20th of June at 2200hrs in Nyanga. The member had been active in spearheading a well-attended meeting which was held in Nyanga on the 19th of June 2014. Her whereabouts were only confirmed this morning. The abduction had left her 9yr old child alone, traumatised, confused and vulnerable in the cold of the winter night as she is the sole guardian. Sgt Rushwaya, head of peace department at Nyanga Police station could not immediately reveal the reasons for detaining Mrs Mutasa. Mrs Mutasa, a teacher at a local school, expressed shock and dismay at the abduction and denies any wrong-doing. Transform Zimbabwe members in Nyanga are currently living in fear of further reprisals after the successful hosting of TZ meetings in the area.

Transform Zimbabwe unequivocally condemns the persistent harassment by state security agents on those working peacefully towards national renewal and recovery based on tolerance, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Transform Zimbabwe is once again challenging the police to conduct themselves in a non-partisan and professional manner, and live up to their Constitutional duty to protect all citizens irrespective of their gender, ethnic origin, or political affiliation.

Handei Vanoenda, Asmbeni Abahambayo