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NCA Chairperson summoned to court over 2006 demonstration
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
March 03, 2011

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) National Chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku was surprised to be served with 2 summons to appear in Harare magistrate court on the 16th of March 2011.

He is being summoned on allegations of contravening Section 24 (1) of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) [Chapter 9:15], in that he allegedly failed to comply with a police order given to disperse NCA members who were demonstrating in Harare demanding for a democratic people driven constitution.

Dr Madhuku was served with the summons whilst attending the case of the 45 jailed ISO activists at the Harare Magistrate courts on the 1st of March 2011.

The state claim that the NCA leader unlawful organised and participated in an unauthorized demonstration on the 4th of March and the second charge is for alleged failure to abide by orders of the regulating authority during an NCA organised demonstration on the 1st of November 2006 at Africa Unity Square.

In the March demonstration of 2004, Dr Madhuku was severely tortured and brutalised by state security agents before being dumped at a bushy area behind the National Sports Stadium. The case was reported to police and no arrest was made.

As the NCA we are deeply worried about selective application of the law by the government of the day. It is shocking to note that a case that happened six years ago is now resurfacing now and we wonder why the case had been ignored. The NCA views the 2 summons as a deliberate attempt by the present inclusive government to victimise NCA leadership ahead of the constitutional referendum.

The summons are a clear indication that the inclusive government is working day and night to deflate the activities of the NCA by victimising its leadership .We urge the government to desist from this colonial regime tendency of harassing human rights activists. It is the duty of any responsible government to respect freedom of assembly and association of all citizens. It's shocking how the government of Zimbabwe continue to embrace barbaric and draconian laws reminiscent of those used during white minority rule under Ian Smith regime and apartheid regime in South Africa.

The NCA will continue to advocate for a constitution that guarantee all citizens with their rights. We believe that its only a democratic people driven constitution that will assure Zimbabweans of a prosperous nation found on respect for human life and dignity.

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