Erasmus Shalihaxwe
No Namibian has been detained in Zimbabwe following reports that 50 men were arrested inside a military camp in that country.
An online publication going by the name GhanaWeb last week reported that the 50 men were undergoing military training and were recruited by the Independent Patriots for Change’s Zambezi regional chairperson, Elvis Lizazi.
According to the news report the men were being prepared for the November election outcome.
Lizazi on Monday told the Windhoek Observer that the article is worrisome and cheap propaganda because he has nothing to do with the alleged recruitment.
“I visited the Katima Mulilo police station to ask the police to investigate and get to the bottom of the article. The author of the article should be found. This is believed to be an article made to intimidate the members of the IPC and stop them from carrying out the recruitment of new members, mobilising and educating members on their political rights,” said Lizazi.
He said the article is nothing but false news meant to tarnish the image of IPC and its regional chairperson.
The party has in the meantime requested the government of Zimbabwe, through its embassy in Namibia, to clear the name of the IPC and that of the Regional Chairperson of the Zambezi region.
IPC spokesperson, Imms Nashinge said the party is investigating who might be responsible for such malicious reports about the party because there are also fake Facebook pages doing the same about the party presidential candidate, Dr Panduleni Itula.
Zimbabwean police spokesperson Paul Nyathi also confirmed that the report was false.
Nyathi said investigations with various police commanders and provinces revealed that no such occurrence has been noted in Zimbabwe.
“The fake and false statement is dismissed with the contempt it deserves. The purported statement is crafted in a manner not conforming to Zimbabwe Republic Police standards or format,” said Nyathi.
He added that the Zimbabwean police are fully aware of “criminals or unruly elements” intentions and motives.
“Investigations will certainly be intensified to accost the criminals who are obviously trying to disturb the peaceful environment obtained in the country and in the process, sending false information to the country’s neighbours,” cautioned Nyathi.
The article has since been taken down from the website.
