Riot police in Gweru yesterday thwarted a demonstration by MDC-T youths who wanted to protest against the declining economy and general joblessness faced by a majority of youths.
by Stephen Chadenga
The riot police officers, in groups of 10 and armed with baton sticks, tear gas canisters and rifles, maintained a watchful eye on the streets to crush any demonstrations.
By 1pm, MDC-T youth leaders were locked in discussion with police bosses in the city as the situation grew tense.
The youths wanted to hand over a petition to Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Jason Machaya in protest against Zanu PF’s failure to fulfil its promise of 2,2 million jobs to Zimbabweans during election campaigns in 2013.
Government has not created any jobs and to the contrary, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa was on record for saying 4 600 companies closed between 2011 and October 2014, resulting in 64 000 job losses.
In an interview after the foiled protest, MDC-T national youth chairperson Happymore “Bvondo” Chidziva claimed police had initially given them permission to go ahead with the demonstrations.
“We notified the police about the Gweru demo and the police officer commanding Gweru Urban district gave us the go-ahead this morning,” Chidziva claimed.
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“They (police) said we should not use the route where Chicken Slice is having an official opening ceremony, but to our surprise, the police changed and said we could not go ahead with the demo.”
He said apart from the issue of jobs, the protest was also about the disappearance of activist Itai Dzamara, the introduction of exam fees for Grade 7 pupils and the need to implement electoral reforms, among other demands.
“But we do not stop here. Very soon, we will come back to Gweru and other cities to demonstrate. This time, we won’t notify the police, but just exercise our constitutional right to protest,” Chidziva said.
Meanwhile, MDC-T Mkoba MP Amos Chibaya, who was in the company of the youths, alleged police assaulted the party’s provincial treasurer Auxillia Nduna and arrested one youth member.
“Straight from here, we are going to Gweru Central Police Station where one of the youths is detained,” he said.
Police could not be reached for comment.
