Zim police deny firing live bullets at Chamisa & MDC supporters in Marondera

Zimbabwe police deny firing live ammunition at MDC supporters and officials who gathered to plant trees at Dombotombo Clinic in Marondera yesterday. Authorities say teargas was used after part of the crowd refused to disperse and were blocking patients from accessing the health facility.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses allegations that live rounds of rubber bullets were used or fired when police officers in Marondera dispersed MDC supporters and activists this afternoon who had illegally gathered at Dombotombo Clinic and some leaders attempted to address the gathering without following the laid down notification procedures in terms of the law.

“Police only used tear smoke to disperse the gathering and politicians, with some who had been transported in kombis openly refusing to comply with lawful orders which had been given by the police.”

Meanwhile, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Ndabaningi Nick Mangwana told state media that no live bullets were fired in Marondera

“It’s the usual opposition histrionics and dramatics. (MDC-Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa tried to have a rally in Dombotombo Clinic, disrupting the delivery of care to the sick people there,” he said.

“Police were called in. At this point there were kombis full of rowdy people who were very aggressive.

“They started surging towards the police in an aggressive way. Police deployed tear smoke to disperse the people. There was no use of firearms and none of the police details was armed with live ammunition,” he said.