MUTARE – Mutasa South Constituency Member of Parliament Regai Tsunga of MDC Alliance was Tuesday arrested in Mutare for addressing residents who were concerned over the partisan distribution of government subsidised mealie meal.
Tsunga and Ward 11 MDC Alliance councillor Nyasha Bhiza were arrested by police at Mac’s Shopping Centre.
The Ward 11 residents claimed to have been sidelined during the distribution of the government’s subsidised roller meal.
Tsunga and Bhiza were both fined ZW$500.00 each for defying President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lockdown decree that prohibits a gathering of more than 50 people.
Police have so far arrested over 7000 people for breaking lockdown regulations since March 30.
Witnesses, however, said the gathering was of less than 50 people.
MDC Alliance Manicaland spokesperson David Panganai confirmed Tsunga’s arrest.
“Yes, l can confirm that our MP Regai Tsunga was on Tuesday arrested in Mutare for gathering people to address their concerns over the partisan distribution of mealie meal,” he said.
A witness who was part of the gathering said: “We were less than 50 people and the MP wanted to address our concerns over the partisan distribution of (subsidised) mealie meal. The MP was trying to afterwards make representation on our behalf so that we get the mealie meal as we are being continuously sidelined.”
The witness who declined to be named added: “It is unfortunate that he was arrested for trying to assist people.”
Mnangagwa extended Zimbabwe’s lockdown by a further two weeks, and made some modifications allowing limited mining and manufacturing activities to resume.