Nottingham Zimbabwe Community Network Weblog

AU: a toothless bulldog

nzcn — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:58:25 +0000

On January 1, South Africa assumed the rotating chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council and President Jacob Zuma went on to berate Nato for the role it played in the overthrow of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in his inaugural speech.

Zuma lamented what he stated as fact, that the African Union (AU) had hardly been given a chance to resolve the Libyan problem, within the context of the African Solutions to African Problems paradigm.

Ironically, the AU was formed in the town of Sirte, Libya, in March 2001, with Gaddafi playing a very pivotal role in its formation.

Just how capacitated the AU is, in order to resolve the myriad of African problems is still something of an enigma.

Zuma himself, among others, undertook several trips to Libya to discuss with Gaddafi as the civil war was raging, but Gaddafi remained inexorably intransigent.

Even offers of asylum were turned down, as Gaddafi vowed to fight to the bitter end. Gaddafi obviously overrated his capacity to deal with the situation, and underrated the Libyan people’s resolve to rid themselves of his hegemony.

Why some members of the AU, and more particularly, Gaddafi, himself, being himself a product of a coup against King Idris, could suggest that the Libyan Spring was the work of imperialists, boggles the mind.

It boils down to suggesting that, it is well and good for Gaddafi to come to power by staging a coup against the legitimate order, but, it is unlawful to give Gaddafi the same treatment.

Gaddafi overthrew King Idris and went on to rule Libya for 42 years, in which he denied the people of Libya the right to elect their leaders.

So, in essence, Gaddafi imposed himself on the people of Libya and went on to persecute them for decades, while Africa watched in silence.

Not at any time, did AU leaders raise any issues relating to Gaddafi’s legitimacy or human rights record. Instead, they were busy venerating and thanking him for the generous hospitality he dispensed with, in funding them.

Gaddafi used African leaders’ bankruptcy and gargantuan appetite for handouts to manipulate them, a thing he failed to do in the Arab League, as almost all of the Arab world has oil-dollars and didn’t need pittances.

There is something of a promiscuous and duplicitous streak in some members of the AU, in that they do not see any evil in those that grease their palms.

Leaders who came to power though coups, like Gaddafi, Al Bashir of Sudan and Teodoro Obiang Nguema, of Equatorial Guinea, are acceptable in their fold, as long as they have oil-dollars to dish out, but if they are poor, like Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, they are advised to restore the status quo.

Perhaps it is time for a reality check, and for the AU, to ascertain its capacity to resolve Africa’s problems. For starters, most members cannot even afford to keep up with AU subscription payments.

And, save for, South Africa and some Ecowas countries, like Nigeria, very few can afford to raise an army, beyond tokenism, to restore order in or keep peace, in troubled spots.

It simply is not true that the AU never had an opportunity to address the Libyan issue. It clearly lacked the capacity to deal with a difficult customer, like Gaddafi, who had nothing, but absolute condescending contempt for his black brothers.

Zuma was shown the two fingers by Gaddafi, when he went over to plead with him to stop killing his people, and to leave the country, to give peace a chance.

Now, if a leader will not listen to Zuma, the leader of the most powerful country on the African continent, who will he listen to?

African Solutions to African Problems is a mere cliché, and African leaders’ attempt to
insulate themselves from the broader and decisive international intervention.

A solution is just that . . . a solution. There is nothing like African Solutions and African Problems
. . . that is why in times of disease, hunger and famine, Africa has no qualms about accepting aid from Europe and the West. It suddenly loses its selective language about African Solutions.

Where were African solutions when, for years, Laurent Gbagbo held the Ivory Coast to ransom; and, when the people of South Sudan and Darfur suffer, as they continue to do, Al Bashir’s bondage and stranglehold; and, when the North African countries that have eventually staged the Spring, suffered under totalitarian regimes; and when Swaziland writhes with the undemocratic pain from a king who treats himself to a primeval ritual of choice pickings from a buffet of young and innocent virgins laid before him, like lambs to the slaughter, year in and year out; and when Marc Ravalomana is not allowed to return to his country; and when Zimbabwe’s GNU grinds to a halt through determined obduracy?

Let us be honest with ourselves, the AU simply did not have the capacity to resolve the Libyan uprising . . . it was well beyond its capacity!

Hopefully, in time, the AU will grow to play a more significant role in resolving Africa’s problems but, in the interim, it must be honest enough to accept its limitations and not try and overstate its capacity.

Sata backs Mugabe

nzcn — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:56:21 +0000

Zambian President Michael Sata has backed President Robert Mugabes calls for elections this year, denting hopes the region would resist the polls before key reforms were implemented.

MDC-T is banking on the Southern African Development Committee (Sadc) to stop President Mugabe from pushing for elections before the completion of the constitution-making process.

Zanu PF at its conference in Bulawayo last month resolved elections must be held this year with or without the new charter.

But MDC-T has insisted there would be no polls without reforms including those of the electoral and security laws. Sadc, through its mediator in Zimbabwe South African President Jacob Zuma are expected to play a key role in the process.

Sata who came to power last year and has never hidden his admiration of President Mugabe, told Britains Telegraph newspaper reforms were unnecessary.

You people, the Western countries, you taught us that democracy is elections, he was quoted as saying. Now somebody wants elections and you say no.

There will be elections and (President) Mugabe will go and someone else will take over, but not someone imposed by the Western countries.

He said he would not block the 87-year-old leaders push to abandon the inclusive government and dismissed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as a stooge.

We dont know the policies of Morgan he has other people speaking for him rather than speaking for himself, Sata claimed.

The Zambian leaders predecessors Rupiah Banda and the late Levy Mwanawasa were critical of President Mugabe, accusing him of undermining the Zimbabwe economy.

NCA threatens mass demonstrations

nzcn — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:54:54 +0000

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) is threatening to mobilise and hold mass demonstrations if the inclusive government fails to disband Copac because it has reportedly failed to address key issues.

The warning comes at a time the constitution-drafting process has been derailed by political haggling among the three political parties in the inclusive government bent on forwarding party positions.

The NCA, a long-time critic of the Copac-led process, said the inclusive government should realise the parliamentary body would not produce a supreme law desirable to all, and the sooner it is disbanded the better.

Yesterday, NCA spokesperson Maddock Chivasa said: We would like to warn government against its continuous arrogance and false pretence that all is well in Copac.

As NCA, we want the current government to come out clear admitting that Copac has failed and disband it as a matter of urgency.

Failure to do so will soon attract massive demonstrations against the current government organised by the NCA. We urge all Zimbabweans to reject Copac as a confused group of politicians that has exhibited a clear lack of understanding that constitutions are made by and for the people.

Chivasa added: As NCA, we urge the government to establish an independent commission which should be mandated to collect peoples views to be included in the constitution.

The NCA said Copac should explain to the public reasons for the delay in producing the new constitution that was expected within 18 months.

The constitution-making process has faced various impediments since the process began, but is currently at the drafting stage.

It is then scheduled to go for the Second All-Stakeholders Conference, then to Parliament, and referendum. Should the people vote Yes, it then becomes the new constitution of Zimbabwe.

There was drama at a recent Press briefing at the Copac offices when a group of war veterans hijacked the proceedings and insulted co-chairpersons Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana (Zanu PF), Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) and Edward Mkhosi (MDC), describing them as thieves and ignorant people who will not achieve anything meaningful.

Tsvangirai, Biti face arrest

nzcn — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:25:43 +0000

By Chengetai Zvauya
HARARE – Police and Zanu PF have launched a fresh campaign to crush the MDC
in a plan which involves arresting Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Finance
minister Tendai Biti and other top officials.

The MDC says it is aware Tsvangirai and Biti could be arrested soon but has
warned that it will do everything to expose the “grand plan” to weaken the
party ahead of possible elections.

A dossier has been compiled to support MDC’s case against the clampdown, and
would be handed over to Sadc and the African Union.

Police have been on the coat tails of both Tsvangirai and Biti for more than
six months but critics say the probes are politically-motivated.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena refused to
reveal details on the matter. “I have no comment to make and I have nothing
to say.”

Last week, detectives scoured four financial institutions, perusing the
financial records and transactions of civic society and relief groups
suspected to be working with the MDC leadership in receiving direct funds
for support to distressed groups.

This was the latest crack at some of the banks which had last year been
visited on a different mission but allegedly involving Biti’s transactions.

Sources said some senior bank executives at the financial institutions that
were visited have been placed under surveillance.

This includes tapping their phones, monitoring their lockers at golf clubs
and social holes.

At one institution, the detectives are said to have demanded the list of
visitors to the founding official, list of messages and e-mail addresses of
contacts.

However, the demands were ignored.

The visits, according to the sources, had not been sanctioned by the Reserve
Bank of Zimbabwe, which supervises the financial institutions.

RBZ has its financial intelligence inspectorate and supervision teams, which
monitor all activities in the banking sector.

Where they suspect malfeasance, said sources, they have to nail offending
banks but in criminal cases, they have to act as the complainants, and often
supported by investigations’ reports.

Against Biti, sources said so far there is no complainant — raising
questions on the motives of the police probe.
Biti has steadfastly maintained that he has done his tasks above board.

MDC spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said his party had received information of
pending arrests of Tsvangirai and Biti.

“There are plans to demoralise the rank and file of MDC by arresting and
detaining MDC supporters and sympathisers.
However, we know that there is no legal basis for arresting our leadership.
It is just political harassment,’’ said Mwonzora.

Tsvangirai is under probe on fraud allegations and his relative Hebson
Makuvise, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Germany on allegations of
misappropriation of public funds he used to acquire and build property in
the leafy suburb of Highlands.

Police are also probing Biti over the controversial $500 million windfall
Zimbabwe got from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2009.

They aim to arrest him if they detect any trace of fraud, sources said.

Zimbabwe got $512,3 million in special drawing rights in 2009 after the IMF
injected $283 billion into the global economy to provide liquidity and boost
member countries’ foreign exchange reserves at the height of the financial
crisis.

Biti and Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono have differed over the money.
They engaged the IMF separately wanting clarification on the use of the
money.

Biti said he was the “sole authority” on how the money would be used. Most
of it would go to infrastructure development and exporters’ lines of credit.
He could also channel some to budgetary support.

The MDC maintains that police have accelerated a programme to decimate the
party ahead of elections.

Two weeks ago, police fought running battles with vendors in Harare and made
arrests not before they claimed party activists were masquerading as
traders.

A day later, they raided the MDC regalia shop where they arrested an
attendant whom the MDC claim died during violent beatings.

Last week, more than 50 MDC youths who were holding a solidarity march to
pressure the release of incarcerated youth leader Solomon Madzore, were
arrested and detained in various stations in the city.

Madzore and seven other party sympathisers have been languishing in remand
prison over allegations that they were part of a group that led to the death
of a police officer Petros Mutedza in Glen View last year.

The MDC sees police actions as a deliberate clampdown to weaken its
structures.

It has claimed that police are part of a wider campaign to decimate the
party through arrests of top officials.

Zanu PF has said it is not involved in the clampdown.

Party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo has in the past dismissed the MDC claims
accusing them of seeking attention.

But Mwonzora told the Daily News on Sunday that there was a clique of
hardliners that was bent on destroying the MDC.

“We are aware of various machinations by some factions within Zanu PF to
scuttle progress within the government of national unity. The tactic is to
harass senior the MDC leadership by preferring various criminal charges
against them,” said Mwonzora.

MP arrested over Tsvangirai seeds

nzcn — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:19:12 +0000

Bindura South MP (MDC-T) Bednock Nyaude was arrested over the weekend for allegedly distributing maize seeds sourced by party leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Nyaude confirmed the arrest and brief detention at Bindura Police Station. He said police claimed they were acting on orders from their unnamed superiors.

“On Friday evening, I got a call from a police detail saying they understood I was going to have a meeting the next day at my place.

“I confirmed to them that I was going to give out maize seeds sourced by our party president and it would be indoors,” Nyaude said.

“The next morning, a delegation of about six police officers from Law and Order Section came and I told them the meeting was going to be indoors.

“They laid an ambush and saw a vehicle loaded with maize which they followed up to my place.
“They accused us of holding an unsanctioned meeting and threatened to arrest all of us.

“I told them I was distributing maize seeds the same way Zanu PF was doing with maize seed from its leader (Robert Mugabe).”

Zanu PF has been distributing maize to its supporters sourced by President Mugabe throughout the country.

“I am surprised the police want to stop us from doing the same,” Nyaude said.

“This is clearly undermining an equal partner in the inclusive government.

“They took me around 4pm and I was released around 8pm.”

Police could not immediately comment on the matter as their national spokespersons were unreachable on their mobile phones.

MDC-T dossier chronicles ‘Chihuri violations’

nzcn — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:36:34 +0000

Faith Zaba

PRIME MINISTER Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC says Police Commissioner-General
Augustine Chihuri should not be re-appointed as police chief because of his
alleged selective application of the law, numerous human rights violations
and partisan approach to law enforcement.
Chihuri’s actions, the party says, were in violation of the Global Political
Agreement (GPA).

Police spokesperson assistant police commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena refused
to comment on the allegations.
“I will not comment on that,” he said yesterday.

In a 28-page document titled “Partisan Policing” detailing various
violations allegedly committed by the police between 1999 and 2011, the
MDC-T accused Chihuri of making inflammatory statements which undermine the
letter and spirit of the GPA.

The party quoted Chihuri on November 26 2010 saying: “…this country came
through blood and the barrel of the gun and it will never be re-colonised
through the pen which costs as little as five cents.”

Chihuri’s contract, together with that of Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander
General Constantine Chiwenga, expires at the end of this month, while
Prisons Services Commissioner retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, Air
Force commander Air Marshal Perance Shiri and Zimbabwe National Army
commander Lieutenant-General Philip Sibanda’s tenures end in February.

The two MDC formations have said they will fight President Robert Mugabe
legally, politically and regionally if he re-appoints the service chiefs
without consulting Tsvangirai.

The GPA stipulates that the president should consult the prime minister when
making key appointments.

The MDC-T has indicated that the expiry of the contracts gave the inclusive
government an opportunity to get rid of Chihuri, who took over from Henry
Mukurazhizha in 1991 as acting commissioner before assuming the position on
a full time basis in 1993.

Chihuri’s contract, the MDC-T said, was renewed 13 times since his first
term expired in 1997.

“Augustine Chihuri assumed the title of commissioner-general in January
2008. Despite assuming a new title, Commissioner-General Chihuri maintained
his partisan approach to law enforcement which he had adopted prior to
January 2008,” reads the document seen by the Zimbabwe Independent.

“In the months preceding the June 2008 presidential run-off elections, MDC
supporters were subjected to violence by state security agents and Zanu PF
supporters, which saw hundreds of them being brutally murdered.

“Despite overwhelming evidence of the violent campaign against MDC
supporters by state security agents, Commissioner-General Chihuri maintained
that the MDC was responsible for the violence.

“As a result of the Commissioner-General’s bias against MDC, none of the
perpetrators of violence against MDC supporters have been arrested and
prosecuted.”

Some of the cases outlined in the document,which alleges Chihuri failed in
his duties, include the murder of Tsvangirai’s driver Talent Mabika and
Tichaona Chiminya, whom the MDC-T claims were killed by state spy Joseph
Mwale accompanied by Tom Kitsiyatota in April 2000.

MDC-T said despite a High Court ruling directing the police and the
Attorney-General (AG) to arrest and prosecute Mwale, no action was taken
against him by the police or the AG’s office and he has remained free to
date.

The MDC document also cited the abduction in 2000 of Education minister
David Coltart’s polling agent Patrick Nabanyama, who was kidnapped by 10
armed men driving a Mazda truck with no number plates.

He was never seen again and on August 11 2010, a Bulawayo magistrate
declared Nabanyama dead.
The police, the MDC-T said, have not apprehended the persons suspected of
having kidnapped and murdered him despite the fact that they had been
identified.

The party contends Chihuri has failed to act against police officers that
have been accused of fabricating evidence against its supporters.
One such example was that of six MDC supporters, including former MDC
legislator Fletcher Dulini-Ncube, who were accused of murdering war veteran
Cain Nkala.

The police staged a discovery of Nkala’s body, with the accused making
indications pertaining to the location of the shallow grave and purported
manner in which they murdered him.

In her judgement, High Court Judge Justice Sandra Mungwira found that the
police had framed the accused.

The MDC-T said despite the fact that Tsvangirai was assaulted at Machipisa
Police Station on March 11 2007 and sustained a skull injury, no one was
arrested in connection with the assault.

“Between the years 2000 and 2008, Chihuri’s police were involved in numerous
violations of human rights of citizens, most of who were perceived to be
opponents of Zanu PF, a party Chihuri has publicly sworn allegiance to,”
reads the MDC-T report. “During these years Chihuri’s police became a law
unto itself ignoring High Court orders when it suited them.”

On selective application of the law, the document said: “The selective
application of the law by the police Commissioner-General since January
2011 have considerably compromised the letter and spirit of the GPA, to the
extent that there is a clear paralysis of government rendering it almost
dysfunctional.

“Police Commissioner-General Chihuri has resorted to selective arrests of
victims of political violence in a manner which aids and abets the
perpetrators of violence.”

The document went further to say: “In addition, in violation of the GPA and
Section 16 of the Constitution, police Commissioner-General Chihuri has
wilfully refrained from acting on three police reports of criminal
misconduct that have been made against Minister of Local Government, Rural
and Urban Development Dr IG (Ignatius) Chombo and to date the police
Commissioner-General has not acted on these. This reflects partisan conduct
on the part of Police-Commissioner General Chihuri.”

There have also been police reports against prominent businessman Philip
Chiyangwa and two senior Harare City Council officials, Cosmas Zvikaramba
and Psychology Chiwanga, who have been implicated in fraudulent acquisition
of public property, said the document.

This, it said, was in sharp contrast to the arrest of Energy minister Elton
Mangoma on March 10 and 25 2011 on corruption charges and that of
Co-Minister of National Healing and Reconciliation Moses Mzila-Ndlovu on
April 15 2011 for allegedly holding a meeting without authority. Mangoma was
brought to court in leg irons on April 19 2011.

The MDC-T also accused Chihuri of being partisan in the manner in which he
has dealt with political rallies and meetings organised by Zanu PF
opponents.

Police must stop madness

nzcn — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:17:39 +0000

HARARE - The continued crackdown by police on ordinary citizens in Harare and other places has just shown that Zimbabwe, specifically its security sector, is far from reform.

For the second day running, heavily-armed anti-riot units pounced on ordinary folks in the capital under the guise of an operation against elements who fomented Wednesday’s skirmishes or running battles in Harare’s First Street Mall.

In that episode, police pounced on the MDC headquarters and rounded several people, including bystanders, before carting them off to Harare Central Police Station.

It has become increasingly difficult for many to believe that our country’s law enforcement agents are not batting on one political party’s instructions and with an election looming this year or in 2013 the future can only be dire.

And in all fairness, is the unprovoked drama and running battles with vendors really necessary for a country that is trying to redeem its battered image: politically and economically?

In whose interest are these actions and who exactly is directing these shameful, and mindless actions?

Which serious political party or leadership expects to be elected by an ordinary people or electorate — including vendors — when the same group or elite is leading a crusade against such ordinary folks?

There is no one in government, civil society or any other social strata who will deny the fact that Zimbabwe is still a shaky economy and one wracked by job shortages, yet we have a bunch of people or individuals who think it is fashionable to fight a distressed population trying to elk a living.

In this madness, not only has the name and brand of the national police been dragged through the gutter, but no one in their right frame of mind will ever believe Zimbabwe can handle her affairs alone, especially ahead of a key national event like the 2012 or 2013 polls.

There has been too much unrest in Zimbabwe since the dawn of the new millennium and the sooner President Robert Mugabe, and his government colleagues sincerely act on this chaos the better.

We may have had joint meetings and proposals for rallies to “condemn” violence in recent weeks, but if the “provocative streak” is also not checked from other supposed sober-quarters, the country remains stuck in the sewer.

CIO agents refuse to reform

nzcn — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:10:20 +0000

Three members of the notorious Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) this
afternoon severely assaulted a mechanic, Bornface Mvemve as he was
test-driving an MDC vehicle in Harare.

The mechanic, Mvemve (32) said the incident took place just after the
round-about in Msasa as he was driving towards the city centre. Narrating
the incident, Bornface said as he was driving, a grey Nissan Hardbody double
cab with no number plates overtook him and suddenly blocked his way.

Three men in black suits, including the driver, disembarked. Two of the men
who were drinking beer began to assault the mechanic and poured beer all
over him. After that they smashed both the front and the rear windscreens of
the party vehicle. They then hurriedly left the scene.

Bornface, injured on his neck and collar bone and was immediately rushed to
a city hospital where he is receiving treatment.

The CIO and other security agents are refusing to reform and have constantly
attacked MDC members at the instigation of ZANU (PF). Last week, the police
arrested MDC shop assistants manning the party regalia shop at Harvest House
following clashes with vendors.

MDC is also concerned with the continued renewal of service chiefs’
contracts as they have been partisan towards ZANU (PF) in the discharge of
their duties. Two of the culprits, Defence Forces Commander Constantine
Chiwenga and Police Chief Augustine Chihuri’s contracts are expiring next
month.

–
MDC Information & Publicity Department

It’s time to address GPA shortcomings

nzcn — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:32:14 +0000

Zimbabwe has drifted so far from the terms agreed between political leaders in 2009 that it is difficult to believe there was any common ground in the first place.

What happened, we may well ask, to the opening of the airwaves? Zanu PF complains about what it likes to call “pirate” radio stations while promoting an agenda of hate and chronic amateurism that poisons the political climate. The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe remains improperly constituted.

What happened to the land audit that was designed to demonstrate accountability and equity in the land redistribution process? It has disappeared off the political radar. So has the Economic Consultative Council.

Then there was the issue of Gideon Gono and Johannes Tomana whose appointments like those of provincial governors were entirely arbitrary and in violation of agreed procedures.

The claim that permanent secretaries were professional and independent of partisan pressure proved laughable.

Nothing much has changed as Zanu PF seeks to claw back the space it lost in 2008. Compounding all this is the MDC’s inability to articulate the values that underpin our democratic transition.

Instead, they are preoccupied with building houses, acquiring vehicles, and living life on the hog.

There seems no sense of duty to the nation that the party kicked off with in 2008.

The GPA is manifestly unfulfilled and, therefore, the country cannot hope to attract aid and investment on the scale needed for national recovery.

The fundamental question, therefore, is: Where are we heading? There is no point whatsoever in holding elections this year when the main parties are unable to agree on the ground rules set out in the GPA terms. During South Africa’s Codesa talks, progress was made on the basis of confidence-building between the principal parties.

That doesn’t exist here. The parties are at each other’s throats.

So the problem remains: What do we do next when a chasm separates the principal negotiators?

At least South African President Jacob Zuma has declined to be part of the problem as his predecessor was.

What Zimbabweans should be doing in 2012 is constructing platforms for change. Why are Posa, Aippa and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act still being used as weapons in the State’s private war with the media and civil society?

What agenda for reform can the MDCs provide?

With the exception of a small coterie around President Mugabe and bogus support groups, nobody wants Zanu PF to continue a day longer than it has to. It lost the last election and will probably lose the next.

It is now intent upon inflicting as much damage as possible in the time remaining. Hence the generals!

But what can the former opposition provide in the way of inspiration and concrete reform? That’s what we need to know.

Change is more compelling than ever. Yet the nation has no agenda and no leadership. It is time to remedy those shortcomings as a priority.

Police accused of trying to cripple MDC-T youth wing

nzcn — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:42:33 +0000

By Tichaona Sibanda

The MDC-T’s deputy Minister of Justice, Obert Gutu, on Tuesday blasted the
police for using ‘shock and awe’ tactics to try and cripple the activities
of the party’s youth assembly.

‘The strategy now is to target the youths, who form a critical organ of the
party. The youth assembly is the vanguard of the party, all the vibrancy and
dynamism in the MDC comes from the youth,’ Gutu said.

The deputy minister bemoaned what he called a ‘ritual by the police to
arrest and detain MDC members on flimsy charges. Nine MDC members, who were
arrested at the party’s headquarters Harvest House last week, appeared in
court Tuesday where their application for bail was denied.

Gutu said the nine were charged with public violence and assaulting police
officers, during skirmishes between police and vendors in central Harare
last week. They will next appear in court on 26th January.

‘They are facing the usual trumped-up charges. We know it’s a calculated and
deliberate attempt to cripple the actions of the MDC youth assembly. They
just want to spread shock and awe so that our youngsters don’t participate
in party activities. But we all know they won’t succeed,’ Gutu said.

He gave an example of the incarceration of Solomon Madzore, the MDC-T youth
assembly chairman, who was arrested last year facing charges of taking part
in the March 2011 assault and killing of a police officer in Glen View.
Madzore was picked up in October, while seven others were picked up in the
weeks following Inspector Petros Mutedza’s death.

‘You can tell the strategy is to hit from top going down, to cow our members
not to stand up against ZANU PF,’ Gutu added.