Police panic after media claims 50 Namibians arrested for ‘subversion’ in Zimbabwe
Issue threats against ‘criminals who are obviously trying to disturb the peaceful environment’
By Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed social media claims a group of 50 Namibian nationals have been arrested in Zimbabwe military camps for “subversive activities”.
Police said the “purported media story” was falsely attributed to the ZRP.
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In a statement, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “checks with relevant police commanders and provinces have revealed that no such occurrence has been noted in the country”.
“The fake and false statement is dismissed with the contempt it deserves,” Nyathi said in a Sunday statement.
“The purported press statement is crafted in a manner not conforming to Zimbabwe Republic Police standards or format.”
Nyathi added, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police is fully aware of the intentions and motive of the criminals or unruly elements.
“Investigations will certainly be intensified to account for the criminals who are obviously trying to disturb the peaceful environment”.
The zeal displayed by police to dismiss the claims comes as Zimbabwe prepares to host the SADC summit this August.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, set to assume the rotational SADC chairmanship next month, is pulling all the stops to ensure the summit is a success.
Any arrests on citizens of a SADC member country for crimes other than pure criminal activity has potential to provoke some diplomatic tensions which Zimbabwe can do without during the period leading up to the regional summit.
