MDC-T youths are calling on the party to pull out of the unstable inclusive government in protest over the continued detention of youth leader Solomon Madzore and 29 others who have been in custody for the alleged murder of police Inspector Petros Mutedza in Glen View, Harare last year.
Madzore on Friday clocked exactly six months behind bars at Chikurubi Maximum prison after their bail application was thrown out last week. Youth Assembly secretary-general Promise Mkwananzi said the youths were bitter with their leadership over its “business-as-usual- approach”, ignoring the plight of incarcerated youths.
“There appears to be no urgency, no action and no movement on the part of our leadership. We demand action, fundamental action from the party. Pull out of the GNU if that is what it takes,” said Mkwananzi.
“We want to state unequivocally our disappointment with the manner in which our party has handled the issue of the political arrests. We are saying they can do more than visit him. Their voices should be heard. We know they have a lot of pressure in dealing with other pressing issues but they can’t ignore the arrest of the youths.”
But party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said the leadership was concerned and will meet to discuss the issue.
“The leadership is concerned about the harassment of Madzore and other detainees. In fact the leadership will have an urgent meeting to discuss among other things that issue and the stance will be made known after that,” he said.
However, the youths cited MDC-T leadership’s swiftness to act when some of its high profile members were arrested and said they should do the same for the imprisoned activists.
By virtue of him being the youth assembly leader, Madzore sits in the Standing Committee, a high profile organ in the party structures.
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Last week they were denied bail by Justice Chinembiri Bhunu forcing lawyers to lodge an application for leave to appeal against the decision at the Supreme Court.
However, Mkwananzi said despite his continued detention, Madzore was in high spirit and his conscience was clear.
“He is in high spirits and is saying go forward with the struggle.
“If Zanu PF think they are killing him they are making a mistake, his mind and spirit are free. His conscience is clear because he knows he committed no crime,” said Mkwananzi.
