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briefly held by police in Hwange for holding an unsanctioned meeting.
Police Officer Commanding Matabeleland North Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai last night said the MDC leaders had only been invited to the station to explain what they were doing.
“They were not arrested. They were only invited to explain to the police what they were doing.
“They are VIPs and as the police their security is our concern.
“They were at the Criminal Investigation Department for less than 30 minutes and were released,” he said.
However, MDC deputy spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi last night said about 20 MDC leaders had been nabbed for violating the Public Order and Security Act.
He, however, said it was not yet clear what charges they were facing.
“About 20 of our top leadership including Professor Ncube, secretary-general Misihairabwi-Mushonga and the deputy secretary-general Mr Moses Mzila Ndlovu have been arrested.
“My understanding is that they are being arrested under POSA for allegedly holding an illegal meeting. However, they were not holding any meetings, they were only on a visit to Hwange.
“A road block was set up just after Hwange on their way back and that is where they were told that they were under arrest,” Mr Chihwayi said.
He said the party leadership was being introduced to some MDC-T party members who defected to their formation.
“We have been receiving a lot of people from the MDC-T and our leadership was being presented to them and that cannot be defined as public meetings,” he said.
Online Reporter