MIRROR REPORTER

GUTU – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Gutu cluster Coordinator Lloyd Mupfudze has gone into hiding after he received a tip-off that Police want to arrest him on suspicion that he is organising a demo.He has been away from home since Tuesday.The Mirror understands that a group of men suspected to be members of the President’s Office (CIO) visited his place on the evening of the same day that he left.

They told his wife that they wanted Mupfudze to help them with certain information.The same men returned later and vandalised electricity connections to the house.Mupfudze’s wife reported the threats and vandalism at Gutu ZRP under case number RRB2056/24. Mupfudze confirmed in a telephone interview with The Mirror that he had gone into hiding. He refuted allegations that he was organising a demo and said the issue is news to him.

He said that he is extremely worried about his safety. Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he has not heard about the report. CCC Gutu Cluster chairperson, Godfrey Madzikanda also confirmed the matter in a telephone interview. “I received a tip off on Monday that members from the CIO were looking for me. They came to a place where I was and asked for my whereabouts and I managed to escape.

I have been informed that they accused me of planning to host a demonstration in protest against the SADC Summit,” said Mupfudze.“My safety is now compromised and the most challenging aspect is that they are operating at night,” he added. “I am aware that they are hunting for Mupfudze and the reasons are untrue. There is nothing illegal that he has done or he is contemplating to do. As we speak, no one knows where he is.

“A demonstration is not something that is illegal and it’s not done clandestinely, you inform the authorities. There is no way that he will do that without my knowledge,” said Madzikanda.