MDC official accused of insulting Mugabe

HARARE - An MDC official in Matabeleland North province, Oliver Chikumba,
was last week arrested for insulting President Robert Mugabe after he
refused to sign the Zanu PF anti-sanctions petition.


Last month, Witness Dube, the personal driver for MDC vice-president
Thokozani Khupe, was also arrested in Bulawayo for refusing to sign the same
Zanu PF anti-sanctions petition.

Chikumba, the former secretary for information for the main MDC in
Matabeleland North Province, was dragged to Hwange Magistrate’s Court on
charges of insulting Mugabe, after he refused to sign the controversial
petition, which is being forced on the people throughout the country.

According to the State outline, Chikumba was approached by a Mrs Mlonyeni, a
Zanu PF women’s league member, outside TM Hwange Supermarket, who requested
him to sign the Zanu PF anti-sanctions petition.

Chikumba refused to sign the anti-sanctions petition and is alleged to have
told Mlonyeni to bring Mugabe to him first before signing.

The infuriated Mlonyeni, with the help of Darlington Nhova, suspected member
of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), arrested Chikumba and
dragged him to Hwange police station, where he was detained for four days
before being brought to court on Friday.

He is being charged for contravening Section 33 of the Criminal (Procedure
and Codification) Act.