Chikadaya’s memorial service to be held in Wedza South

Harare, Wednesday 22 August 2012. There will be a memorial service for the late MDC Youth Assembly Organising Secretary Simangaliso Phineas Chikadaya in Zviyambe, Wedza South at Chikadaya farm on Saturday the 25^th of August 2012. The memorial service will addressed by President Morgan Tsvangirai and church leaders.

Young commander, Leader Chikadaya was a dedicated young person ever fighting for the rights of young people and a free democratic Zimbabwe for all. He had immense experience and knowledge in working with the people at grassroots level. He was the chief architect of mobilisation and canvassing of young people for the Party and a true foot-soldier.

Leader Chikadaya was one of the two youth leaders from the previous executive, the other one being the President of the Youth Assembly Solomon Madzore. He was the Deputy Organising Secretary while Madzore was the Secretary General under the leadership of Hon Tamsanqa Mahlangu. His experience in Organising and grassroots mobilisation assisted the Youth Assembly to rise to the level it is right now.

The void left by the young commander will be difficult to fill. He took with himself the energy, vigilance, bravery and dedication which cannot be replaced. In him the MDC and the people of Zimbabwe were robbed of real talent and wisdom.

His death came at a time when the Youth President Solomon Madzore is languishing in Prison on fabricated charges of murdering a policeman. The people’s struggle for real change has been seriously set back by the unfortunate events. Leader Chikadaya will forever remain in our hearts as we gear up to fulfil his dream for a new Zimbabwe.

We will forever remember you Soldier!!!

For and on behalf of the young people of Zimbabwe

Clifford Hlatywayo

MDC Youth Assembly Secretary for Information and Publicity

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

MDC YOUTH ASSEMBLY STATEMENT ON THE HEROES DAY. 13 AUGUST 2012

(Compiled from sentiments by YA President Solomon ‘Mandela’ Madzore)

The MDC Youth Assembly appreciates the role played by the liberation heroes who fought for the country bound by the desire for freedom, justice and equality. We salute all those who have sacrificed their lives and selflessly fought for an independent Zimbabwe as well as those who have contributed in the development of this great nation.

The Assembly however takes great exception to the fact that the “National Heroes Acre” has been reduced to a Zanu PF party shrine that bestows the national hero status to the few Zanu PF loyalists. It is even disturbing that in this inclusive government Robert Mugabe and his cronies continues to disrespect the country’s Prime Minister, the Right Hon Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai by continuously declaring Zanu PF enthusiasts as national heroes without consulting the premier or cabinet.

The Zanu PF politburo does not have the mandate whatsoever to make decisions on behalf of the GNU. It is not the Zanu PF top brass that has the duty to dictate who a national hero is and who should be buried at the National Heroes Acre.

The Youth Assembly would like to remind ZANU PF President Robert Mugabe and his crew that President Tsvangirai is the one who was mandated to lead this nation by the people of Zimbabwe in the March 2008 Presidential elections. They need to be reminded that President Tsvangirai garnered the majority votes against their old, tired and unpopular candidate who has since condemned the life of Zimbabweans to poverty, and grievous human rights abuse.

As the nation braces for the Heroes day, the MDC Youth Assembly wonders whether this is an occasion to celebrate the achievements of Zanu PF losers or indeed to pay respect to deserving gallant sons and daughters of this nation. A lot of deserving cadres have been buried in their rural homes and have been forgotten amongst them is Lookout Masuku, Welshman Mabhena, Ndabaningi Sithole among others. If the Prime Minister is going to be part of the proceedings in this year’s celebrations we call upon him to take this opportunity to remind the nation and Mugabe that it is high time national institutions were respected and only deserving people should rest at the national shrine.

The Youth Assembly reiterates the fact that real freedom should be felt and enjoyed by all Zimbabweans. Those who have been mandated by the people should at this juncture take time and audit their performance and see if it is in line with the objectives of the liberation struggle. The liberation war heroes fought for a Zimbabwean community that has absolute respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

The Assembly further calls upon the country’s leadership and the masses of Zimbabwe not to betray the commitment shown by the liberation heroes and seek to build a progressive nation that guarantees jobs, availability of food to everyone, quality and affordable education, access to healthcare and peaceful co-existence.

The MDCYA therefore call upon all the young people and progressive people of Zimbabwe to remain resilient and continue to demand an immediate stop to politically motivated violence, demand the much needed electoral reforms, the victimisation of independent media personnel should stop. Most importantly the young people of Zimbabwe must support the draft constitution and rally behind COPAC for producing a reasonable constitution that is in line with the people’s will.

"I behaved like any other youth; we wanted to vote and to be able to choose our own destiny. Instead, parties were banned, people were arrested and killed, and there was nothing left but to wage an armed struggle."

By Lookout Masuku

MDC Youth Assembly Information Department

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

Glen View 29 Trial at standstill while detainees languish

Harare, Friday 10 August 2012. The trial of the MDC Youth Assembly President Solomon Madzore, who has been nicknamed “Mandela” by MDCYA members, and twenty eight others, wrongly accused of murdering a police officer in Glen View last year is not likely to resume any time soon. 

The emotive trial which was postponed indefinitely to allow one of the accused persons, Nyamadzawo Gapara, to recuperate after his admission at the ill equipped Harare Central Remand Hospital is yet to resume as Gapara is still receiving medical treatment from a private hospital in Harare following a court order. A recent medical report however pours water on prospects of trial resuming soon. According to the specialist surgeons attending to Gapara, the serious nature of his illness, and the subsequent complications incurred while at Harare Central Remand Hospital make it difficult to determine when he will be fit to stand trial.

This indefinite period required for his recovery, added to the fact that the High Court has gone on recess until September 2012, makes it certain that the trial will not resume any time soon, but only after the beginning of September 2012. Even if the High Court re-opens in September 2012, the date on which the trial will resume remains tied to the speed of Nyamadzawo Gapara's recovery, which has also put into abeyance the trial of other 28 accused persons. The accused persons have been in remand prison the greater part of the winter.

The Supreme Court is yet to set down the bail appeal. This is in spite of the fact that all bail issues are considered to be urgent, and the defence team has complied with every procedural requirement for the appeal for the Supreme Court to allocate a date for the hearing. In a growing legal entanglement, it is not clear if the appeal will be set down for hearing before September as the Supreme Court is also on recess until in September.

Ordinarily the highest court should hear appeals even if it is on recess. However, given that the earlier bail appeals took long to be set down (these include Tungamirai Madzokere and 6 Others & Solomon ‘Mandela’ Madzore and 28 Others), there is no likelihood that the Supreme Court will set down bail appeal hearings for both matters any time soon.

 It was apparent from the attitude of the Supreme Court in the initial bail appeal relating to the MDC Youth President Solomon ‘Mandela’ Madzore and Glen View 28, that the highest court would most likely shy away from dealing with the matter on the merits, or dilly dally in the hope that the trial in the High Court was concluded earlier, or at least bail was granted by the High Court.

 In view of the above, the best chances for all 29 Accused remains with the trial being concluded expeditiously. However, this is unlikely to be the case unless Nyamadzawo Gapara recovers quickly.

 As MDC Youth Assembly we remain hopeful that the 29 will all be released in good health. We reiterate that their arrest and continued detention is illegal and political. There is a clear merciless hand of ZANU PF trying to destabilise, and destroy the Youth Assembly by arresting its leaders and members.

 For and on behalf of the young people of Zimbabwe

Clifford Hlatywayo - MDC Youth Assembly Secretary for Information and Publicity

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.