A police constable based in Nkayi was arrested for actively participating in politics after he attended a Citizens Coalition Change (CCC) rally held in Matabeleland North on Wednesday.
Constable Hillary Masimbe was charged with Contravening paragraphs 48(1)(a) of the Schedule to the Police Service Chapter 10: 11 with Section 29 and 34 of the said act, which is “actively participating in politics.”
According to the charge sheet, on August 9, 2023, Masimbe was off duty and went to Nesigwe police base on the pretext that he wanted to collect a murder docket since he was previously stationed at that base.
“(Masimbe) was dressed in civilian attire putting on a yellow T-shirt with black and grey lines. He was covering the T-shirt with a blue jacket,” read a synopsis of the charge seen by CITE.
It is said upon arrival at Nesigwe base, Masimbe proceeded to Nesigwe Growth Point where the CCC rally was held.
“Whilst at the rally, the defaulter removed the jacket covering his yellow T-shirt and was seen following a convoy of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Nelson Chamisa chanting ‘Icho icho uyo mukomana apinda’ literally meaning ‘that one, that one, the young man has arrived’ pointing upward two forefingers and symbol associated with CCC slogan.
“He went on chanting ‘Ngaapinde Mukomana ngaapinde’ literally meaning ‘should enter the young man should enter,‘” reads the charge sheet.
Masimbe was allegedly seen also clapping hands acknowledging the speech that CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa was presenting.
“By so doing Masimbe contravened the said Act. The defaulter has no right to act in the manner he did,” read the charge sheet.
