MDC calls for urgent release of 5 MDC members

The MDC is seriously concerned by the unhygienic living conditions of five of its members who are in remand prison for over 20 months on false charges of murdering a police officer in Glen View, Harare in May 2011.

Last Tamai Maengahama, a member of the National Executive, Glen View councillor, Tungamirai Madzokere, Simon Mapanzure, Yvonne Musarurwa and Rebecca Mafukeni have been in remand prison.

They are part of the 31 MDC members who are facing fake charges of murdering Petros Mutedza, police officer in Glen View in 2011. The others were granted bail last year.

Maengahama, Mapanzure, Musarurwa and Mafukeni are incarcerated in solitary confinement at the Chikurubi Maximum Security under appalling conditions.

The four inmates only see the light of the day when they are going to the High Court for trial.  Most of the time, the inmates will be in leg irons.

This was revealed in court last week by the defence lawyers of the five who were applying for bail before High Court judge, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu.   The State is opposing bail claiming the five are a flight risk.

The MDC’s position is that the 31 members are innocent and their trial is not prosecution but persecution and we demand the immediate release from remand prison of the five remaining members.

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

Trial continues tomorrow

The trial of the 29 MDC members who are facing false charges of murdering a police officer in Glen View, Harare in May 2011 continued at the Victim Friendly Court at the Harare Magistrates’ Court today.
 
Ednah Chihota continued to give evidence before High Court judge, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu. The proceedings again were again closed to the media and members of the public after Chihota said she could not give evidence in an open court as she had received threats from unknown people.

The trial moves to the High Court tomorrow after the State lawyers finished cross examining Chihota today. All the 29 members were back in court despite repeated attempts by the State to deny them bail for months claiming they were a flight risk.

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

Youth Assembly to hold rallies in Gutu Central and Chiredzi at the weekend

On the 9^th and 10^th of February 2013, Madzore will lead his Youth Assembly Real Change team to Gutu Central and Chiredzi West constituencies respectively for youth rallies. The rallies will start at 1000hrs at Gonye Business centre in Gutu and Tshovane stadium in Chiredzi.

Madzore flanked by Mkwananzi, Hlatywayo & Chirume in Masvingo last year

The Assembly President Solomon “Mandela” Madzore will deliver a key note address, proffering the way forward for Zimbabwe as the country is gearing for the referendum and landmark harmonised elections probably midyear. 

These rallies are part of a myriad of marathon activities that the Youth Assembly is carrying out to drum up support for President Morgan Tsvangirai in the forthcoming plebiscite. The rallies are also meant to call for the release of the other 5 cadres who are still in custody. The five are Last Tamai Maengahama, Rebecca Mafikeni, Tungamirai Madzokere, Simon Mapanzure and Yvonne Musarurwa. 

The rallies are also designed to welcome back their commander from Chikurubi maximum prison, which Madzore prefer to call the “Maximum Political College”. 

For more information contact YA National Spokesperson on:

Cell: +263 773 011 599

Twitter: @MDCYouthAssembly

Facebook: Mdcyouth assembly

www.mdc-youthassembly.blogspot.com

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

IN SUPPORT OF GENERATIONAL MIX

 By Mpumelelo Ndlovu

If there is an issue which seriously needs to be interrogated it is that of young people representing the party as Parliamentary and Council candidates in the forthcoming national elections .This has been made to be an issue by people who thrive on the sickening stereotype that  young  people are prone to drunkenness, rowdiness and all other such misconceptions  and therefore cannot be trusted with such leadership positions .Prompted by this, one has to respond  inspired by the clarion call of Amilcar Carbral to at all times tell the truth and not claim easy victories.

So, are the young people biting off more than they can chew? The answer is a clear and unambiguous no! It is no secret that the youth have worked tirelessly for the party to be where it is now. Their hard work will therefore be recognised by leadership at various levels beginning with the branches.

Young people are the most affected by the socio-economic challenges facing Zimbabwe. The youth have a role to play in addressing the issues that affect them the most as they have a better understanding of them. Talk of HIV/AIDS, Unemployment, Political violence, Education and alcohol abuse. Government has continuously failed to address these issues .For instance ,studies have shown over the years that alcohol is a leading cause of the decay of moral fibre in our society yet nothing  has been done to stop this scourge.

History has shown that when a struggle is at its decisive moment young people have to take ownership of the struggle or rather play a more frontline role .One will remember a young Fidel Castro who led Cubans to victory in Havana after the overthrow of Batista. In neighbouring South Africa the struggle gathered pace after the formation of the Youth League and the Soweto uprising. Examples abound, therefore the role of young people cannot be overlooked. Those that perpetuate the lie that the youth are too young and have to grow...and are inexperienced are parroting a dangerous line which has been directed against our struggle for the past 13 years and has failed.

Generational mix is not just about having young people in leadership positions, it ensures organisational survival and making sure that the movement remains attractive to new members and especially young voters.

This is a clarion call to all Youth candidates not to be afraid to face the people because the masses judge based on performance and ours is well chronicled. Never be afraid to be associated with the truth at all times. Let us not make the mistake of seeking the mandate of the young people alone, we need the mandate of all the people. 

Being a Youth is about Discipline, being ideologically conscious and radical as well as respect for the Leadership.

Together to the end, Building a Youth with a difference! 

Amandla!

Mpumelelo Ndlovu, bona fide member of MDC,  

MDC Youth Assembly National Organising Secretary 

 Activist and Revolutionary

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.