Muchinguri a liar – ZRP, Khaya Moyo

via Muchinguri a liar – ZRP, Khaya Moyo 13 August 2014 by Staff Reporter

POLICE have dismissed as false claims by Zanu PF Women’s League boss, Oppah Muchinguri, that top party officials were kidnapping and intimidating women delegates to prevent them from voting at the league’s conference which begins Thursday.
The ZRP said instead of calling a press conference and creating a media farce, those with information about the kidnappings should report them to the police.

Muchinguri, who is stepping down from the post to make way for President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace, called a press conference Monday where she urged the police to take action over the alleged kidnappings.

But Zanu PF national chairman, Simon Khaya-Moyo, called her to order and dismissed the allegations as false and needlessly alarmist.

“I must hasten to say that (Tuesday’s) media reports that a number of kidnappings associated with the conference have taken place in Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces have proven false and alarmist,” said Khaya-Moyo in a statement.

“I appeal to the leadership of the Women’s League to refrain from making such unfounded statements. The nation is at peace.”
And in a development that may back calls by a faction loyal to Vice-President Joice Mujuru, which wants Muchinguri charged with bringing the party into disrepute, deputy national police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, said the ZRP was not aware of any kidnappings.

“We have since checked with all stations, districts and provinces and, for the record, no kidnapping cases have been reported,” Nyathi said Wednesday.

“We therefore appeal to anyone with information on any kidnappings to report to the nearest police station so that necessary action can be taken.

“It is therefore important for the public to report to the relevant police stations since they provide the requisite assistance in terms of attending scenes, investigating and accounting for the suspects.

“In any case, any criminal acts which occur in our country should be reported immediately to the nearest police station which has the prerogative to investigate criminal acts.”

The police statement may provide grounds to charge Muchinguri as demanded by the faction loyal to Mujuru.

Muchinguri is said to be part of a rival group backing Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa to replace Mugabe.
Mujuru’s backers hinted Tuesday that they were preparing charges against Muchinguri for allegedly “bringing the party into disrepute”.