MDC-T spokesperson Nelson Chamisa confirmed the arrest of Marondera Central MP Ian Kay and his Epworth counterpart, Eliah Jembere.

He said six police officers from the CID drugs section descended on Kay’s Hellensvale house in Harare on Friday morning armed with a search warrant.

“They searched the house and garage, ostensibly for drugs and unlicensed firearms,” Chamisa said. 
“According to the search warrant, the police said they had reasonable grounds for believing that Hon Kay was in possession of dagga, cocaine, heroin, hashish, ecstasy, pornographic material, smuggled goods, unlicensed firearms, unregistered and expired drugs.

Chamisa said Jembere, together with MDC-T provincial treasurer, Gilbert Kagodora was arrested at a rally at Wadzanai Shopping Centre in Shamva, Mashonaland Central.

“They were arrested today around 2pm and we understand the police are saying they insulted (President Robert) Mugabe when they chanted one of our slogans,” Chamisa said.
“They were attending one of our ‘real change’ rallies and we had notified the police about the rally.”
“MDC officials are being arrested on politically engineered charges,” he said.

He said the MDC-T suspected that the arrests were part of a campaign to spoil the atmosphere of inclusivity in light of the constitution-making process which will soon get into the outreach stage where the general public will be consulted for their views. Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena could not be reached for comment.

By The Standard