Police deny raiding MDC-T head office

Comment & Analysis
BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE POLICE have denied that they raided the MDC-T headquarters at Harvest House and beat up party members last week.

Police spokesperson for Harare province, Inspector James Sabau said police only went to the MDC-T offices to help out two senior police officers who had been frightened by MDC-T youths gathered at the offices.

“On Saturday March 28 2011, two of our senior police officers who included a commissioner got into town to do business and they parked the police pick-up vehicle they were using at a parking bay near the MDC-T offices. When they returned they saw about 15 MDC-T youths seated in the pan of the vehicle. When they saw the two officers approaching, the MDC-T youths started shouting that they were seated in their vehicle since they were in the inclusive government,” Sabau said in a statement.

Sabau said gestures and statements by the youths frightened the two police officers who then left their car and went to seek assistance at the Harare Central police station on foot.

“They got police officers who accompanied them to their vehicle. When they arrived at the place, the 15 youths who were in the vehicle and about 20 who were around it fled into Harvest House after seeing the police vehicle. The senior officers took their vehicle and drove off,” Sabau added.

However Sabau does not explain why the police who were reported to be chanting liberation war songs were doing so.

MDC-T spokesperson Nelson Chamisahad accused the police of raiding theirheadquarters and beating up party activists from Mufakose.

The police officers are alleged to have failed to gain access into the building after alert MDC-T security officers sealed the entrance.