Online Reporter
Sidumisile Mabena
Police on Saturday raided a house in Nkulumane suburb and arrested several people, saying they were attending an illegal gathering.
Officers are reported to have swooped on the property in the afternoon after a tip-off about an “unsanctioned party” in progress.
A police source confirmed the arrests.
“We received information that there was an illegal gathering taking place at a house in Nkulumane. Our officers attended the scene and found a group of people gathered,” the source said.
“Several individuals were taken in for questioning because the gathering was not cleared. Investigations are underway to establish the nature of the meeting and whether any laws were broken.”
The source said those arrested are assisting with inquiries and charges will depend on the outcome of investigations.
However, residents who live nearby gave a different account of events and questioned the manner of the arrests.
Neighbours told this publication the incident was not a party but an afternoon braai involving a small group of friends. They also alleged that police used force during the raid.
“It was just a braai. There were about 10 to 12 people, and about 3 were women,” said one neighbour who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation. “The police came and just started beating people. They were being dragged and hit with baton sticks. It was not necessary.”
Another resident who claimed to have witnessed the incident said some of those present resisted.
“A few of them asked the police why they were being arrested because they were just braaing meat at a house. That is when the pushing started,” the neighbour said. “Instead of explaining, the officers started assaulting them. We saw one young woman being slapped.”
A third neighbour questioned the level of force used.
“Even if it was an illegal gathering, why beat people like that? These were not armed criminals,” the resident said. “We saw them being bundled into the truck. Some were bleeding. The police could have just spoken to them and taken them in without all that violence.”
Ibhetshu Likazulu is a Bulawayo-based pressure group that campaigns on Gukurahundi and other historical issues. Some neighbours said several of those arrested are linked to the group.
“There was no loud music or alcohol being sold. They were just sitting, eating and talking politics like people do,” another neighbour said.
Efforts to get comment from representatives of the group were unsuccessful by late Sunday.
Police did not release the names or number of those arrested, citing ongoing investigations. When asked about the allegations of assault, the police source said: “All operational details will be part of the report. If anyone feels they were mistreated, they can file a complaint through the proper channels.”
However, according to the neighbours some of those arrested included Simiso Moyo, the owner of the house, Nkosilathi Mabena and Mduduzi Ngwenya.
