Pressure groups based in the Diaspora and Matabeleland have pledged to fund-raise towards the $6 000 needed to bail out detained Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) leaders who are expected back in court Thursday.
Thokozile Mkwanazi, based in Canada and is coordinating the fundraising effort, said they felt it was important they raised the money for the three leaders, Paul Siwela, John Gazi and Charles Thomas Mkwanazi said it would be embarrassing to fail to pay bail money in the event that the courts grant bail. “The families of these gentlemen are asking for our assistance,” she said.
Mkwanazi appealed to activists in the Diaspora to liaise with friends and family and send contributions home or directly to Abameli Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), the attorneys representing the accused.
“It is time for us to show the world that we are a united force and we can work together no matter what challenges are presented to us,” she said. “It will be helpful to ensure these funds are available as soon as bail is posted.”
The trio, incarcerated three weeks ago on treason charges, were last Friday detained and taken to Khami Maximum Prison.
Last Thursday, they were granted $2 000 bail each by Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Nicholas Ndou, but the state immediately invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedures and Evidence Act to keep them under lock and key.
Allegations against the three are that on March 1, they convened an executive meeting in Bulawayo where they agreed to topple the government along the same lines as the Egypt and Tunisia-style uprisings.
