Action Alert (updated ~15.30): Morgan Tsvangirai released by Shurugwi police
Updated: ~15.30
The BBC are reporting that Morgan Tsvangirai has been released (thanks CC).
First entry
Via the MDC, updates to follow:
President Tsvangirai and 11 other members of the Presidential election campaign team were again detained by police and members of the Central Intelligence Organisation just after 1000hrs at a road block just outside Shurugwi. They were then taken to Shurugwi police station where they are currently being detained.
It is clearly impossible to talk about free and fair election in Zimbabwe and to suggest otherwise is to be clearly blind to the grave harassment, intimidation and violence that the people of Zimbabwe have had to endure over the past few years.
The determination and resolve of the people of Zimbabwe to build a new and prosperous Zimbabwe surely has to be complemented by decisive leadership from SADC. The people of Zimbabwe have done, and are still doing all they can to finish off the era of dictatorship, and define a new destiny of the country, a destiny of peace, jobs, health care and general prosperity. This harassment of the leadership and the people of Zimbabwe must stop.
Call Shurugwi Police Station
I’m not sure if these numbers are current. Please let us know how you get on while I check and keep trying to get hold of more.
Officer in charge: +263 (0)52 6279
+263 (0)52 6277
+263 (0)52 6278
+263 (0)52 6545
Guidelines in earlier action alert here.
This alert sent out on our Twitter account. Create your own Twitter account and link to ours to receive alerts via cell phones.
June 14th, 2008 13:18
Any contact numbers for that police station so that we can start calling?
June 14th, 2008 13:20
Trying to get you numbers. No phone book where I am right now. If anyone can help and post them here that would be much appreciated.
Hope
June 14th, 2008 13:49
Numbers added to the post. These are from a 2001 phone book but this isn’t unusual; phone books haven’t been reprointed for ages.
June 14th, 2008 13:55
trying to call all the listed numbers but no response so far….they might be ignoring the call
June 14th, 2008 14:13
I believe these could be the numbers at Shurugwi Police Station
taken from search at http://www.telone.co.zw
SENIOR STAFF OFFICER 052 6277
SENIOR STAFF OFFICER 052 6278
SENIOR STAFF OFFICER 052 6279
SENIOR STAFF OFFICER 052 6545
June 14th, 2008 14:16
sorry … you already posted them
June 14th, 2008 14:41
I know this is a serious matter, but don’t you think Morgan should now go into the Guinness Book of Records as the person who has been arrested the most times in the shortest period of time?
June 14th, 2008 14:52
Just got through on the 6277 number (14:45 Zimbabwe time Saturday) and expressed concerns from Oz. The officer said “I don’t know about that one” and claimed not to know anything. I told him that the world is watching the actions of the police closely and expect them to act lawfully.
June 14th, 2008 15:16
The BBC are saying right now that Morgan’s been released.
June 14th, 2008 15:29
Just checked through the on-line directory and found a number for the Shirugwi ZANU PF Office. 263 52 6723. Called and got through straight away. Expressed my concerns at the detention of Mr. Tsangarai in their town and that the rest of the world was watching the conduct of the authorities and the ruling party there very closely. First person sounded a bit defensive and embarrassed, saying that they were only a political office. I was passed on to a more senior person who shouted “Who are you? who are you? I don’t know you, go to sleep.” Well, at least he and his people are aware events in their town are not just local affairs any more. Please, don’t call them if it endangers anyone or if you are might be tempted to be anything but factual and civil, and simply registering your concerns and making it known that every action is being watched.
June 14th, 2008 15:38
Thank you Charles, that’s amazing work. And thank you for constantly posting comments on your progress.
I’d like to underscore your point that people must not call Zanu PF in anger or simply to be offensive towards them, no matter how angry their actions might make you feel. The last thing we want to do is rile them when they have people in their custody.
It is very important though that they are aware the world is watching and that the world is calmly and keenly aware of what is going on. Be polite and quietly reason with them.
These sort of phone calls have a great impact in small towns which will be stunned when they receive calls from people on different continents.
In future I will try to put up other numbers as well as police station numbers so we can spread the impact.
Thank you all, as always, for your efforts and quick responses.
June 14th, 2008 15:58
Perhaps we should be more proactive and try one or two calls to police stations in towns that look set to be visited in the next day or so… If we get out in front with some calls, it might act to discourage detentions, or keep them shorter…prevention is better than cure.
I’d be guessing Masvingo, Zvishavane, Mberengwa, Gutu? They are 60-80 km from Shurugwi. Someone who knows the geography and roads better than me might be able to make some more informed suggestions.
Also, it’s much easier to stay polite before the event… “As you know, Mr. Tsvangirai is campaigning in the area, and if he comes to your town, we are confident the ZRP will uphold the law in an even-handed way and allow him to campaign freely, etc……”