Opposition MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has said armed soldiers and police officers took 12 members of the party’s Mashonaland West leadership.
Posting on Twitter, the party said its members have not been informed of the charges levelled against them:
12 MDC Alliance provincial leaders from Mash West including Chairman Magunje were taken at gunpoint by 6 soldiers & 7 police officers from the Chinhoyi party office. They were organizing the funeral of Ward 4 member, Mr Kembo, who passed on yesterday.
Our Mash West leaders who were taken from the Chinhoyi party office at gunpoint by soldiers have been detained at Chinoyi Central Police Station for over an hour. They have not been told why they were seized by the military or what charges they’re facing.
Their buttocks were beaten with guns by the soldiers. Despite waiting for over an hour, they haven’t been told what charges, if any they’re facing. They are not allowed to go to the toilet.
Mash West leaders seized at gunpoint by the military in Chinhoyi include: Chairman Magunje Collin Mapfumo Chairlady Usai Secretary Bvumo Mr Mandava Kudakwashe Mandishona Clr Vitrinyu Emmanuel Chinanzvavana Clr Chigumo Wilson Makanyaire Pauline Sibanda Edward Dzeka