Police beat up soldiers at party
RIOT POLICE armed with guns and batons descended on a birthday party in Msasa, Harare on Saturday night and beat up revellers, including soldiers, who were dancing the night away at a birthday party.
It was alleged by the police that the celebration was disturbing the peace in the neighbourhood.
Ten people, including the two soldiers, were injured during the commotion.
One of the soldiers, Charles Mapimbira, said: “The police were brutal and completely disregarded the law when they scaled the fence before proceeding to beat the hell out us. They were supposed to protect us, instead they caused havoc.”
Mapimbira, 36, sustained head injuries.
Rhodesville police confirmed the incident, saying investigations were in progress.
Tsitsi Nyambiya, who threw the party to celebrate her son, Ralph’s fifteenth birthday, said she was shocked when a group of about 16 members of the police support unit, in riot gear, stormed into her house and switched off the disco.
She said one of her neighbours had complained to Rhodesville police about the noise fromthe party.
Nyambiya said two policemen from Rhodesville station had come to the house around 11pm and ordered the revellers to reduce the volume.
“We complied, only to be taken by surprise about an hour later when the riot policemen stormed into the house,” said Nyambiya, who said her T-shirt was torn during the fracas.
“The disco was off when the riot police arrived. They jumped over the fence into my yard.
“They started beating up everyone, accusing us of being supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change. We were not violent. The police brought the violence.”
Nyambiya said most of the guests, including children, most from as far as Mabvuku and Chitungwiza, were forced to flee for their lives.
Some of the tables and chairs she had hired for the event were damaged during the melee.
Vincent Makwata, Nyambiya’s brother, alleged the policemen fired shots into the air indiscriminately before dragging some of the injured revellers into two police vehicles.
He said two men were taken to Rhodesville police station where they were thrown into the cells for the night. They were released the following morning.
The neighbour who complained to the police could not be immediately contacted for comment.
Lucky Murwira, who lives in the same neighbourhood, said her family had been notified of the party in advance by Nyambiya. Murwira described the noise from the party as “nothing out of the ordinary.
“In fact, the situation got out of control when the police arrived and fired shots into the air. The next thing I heard was the sound of breaking bottles and people screaming,” said Murwira.
Nyambiya said she would sue the police for their action which she described as “uncivilised and provocative”.