Detectives Summon Lawmaker for Threatening Geoff Nyarota
Geoff Nyarota: 'I have no wish to engage him (Muchauraya) about his eligibility or otherwise through abusive statements issued through the media''
WASHINGTON DC — Political parties and their candidates for the crucial harmonised elections, whose dates are yet to be announced, have started opening their campaign offices for making contacts with voters. In the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, daggers have already been drawn in a number of constituencies where candidates are seeking endorsement by party faithfuls to stand on the party's ticket in the crucial election. In Makoni South, for example, incumbent Pishai Muchauraya may battle it out for the hearts and minds of the people in the MDC primaries with media guru and former editor Geoffrey Nyarota and several others. But before that, it looks like they may have to settle some cases in the courts first, if things go that far. Muchauraya told VOA Studio 7 he has been summoned by detectives from the Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station for allegedly threatening Nyarota with unspecified action. Muchauraya said a Senior Assistant Inspector Run’anga called him Monday and told him to present himself to the police Tuesday to answer charges related to his alleged threats to Nyarota and several other issues. In a statement Monday evening, Mr. Nyarota said the Member of Parliament for Makoni South, Honourable Pishai Muchauraya "today circulated to sections of the media a scathing and unwarranted attack on me". "This follows a report that I made to the police after he threatened me with death over the phone on February 28, 2012. He will appear in court in due course. I have no wish whatsoever to engage Honourable Muchauraya outside court on matters pertaining to this death threat. "The Honourable MP and I are currently engaged in an election campaign to represent Makoni South constituency in parliament. I have no wish to engage him about his eligibility or otherwise through abusive statements issued through the media. The voters of Makoni South are the best judges of which candidate – and there are four of us – they want to represent them in the august House," said the veteran journalist.