Youth Assembly statement on the Glenview 28 judgment

The Youth Assembly condemns the continued illegal detention of Last Tamai Maengahama, Yvonne Musarurwa and cllr Tungamirai Madzokere on false accusation of murdering a police officer in Glenview more than two years ago.

This is just a desperate attempt to frustrate MDC members because they are of a different political affiliation from the regime.

Yesterday, 19 September 2013, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu acquitted 22 members out of 28 of the Glenview 29. We reiterate that they are all innocent but they are being persecuted for being MDC. They are political prisoners. We demand that the three who are in custody be released unconditionally. Their right to personal liberty has been clearly violated for long enough. Those who are out of custody should be removed from remand.

ZANU PF has been using state institutions to persecute members of our party and this is unacceptable. This unprofessional conduct has clearly put the name of the Zimbabwean public institutions into disrepute, therefore we urge the authorities to at least do the right thing and maintain a bit of some dignity.

With tear filled eyes we welcome the acquittal of the rest of the accused persons including the Youth Assembly President Solomon Madzore who stayed in prison for 405 days. The Assembly encourages all democracy loving Zimbabweans and particularly the families of those who are still in custody to remain resolute.

Meanwhile the MDC Youth Assembly welcomes President Tsvangirai’s announcement of the shadow cabinet which will give an alternative narrative to ZANUPF policies.

We congratulate our Assembly President Solomon Madzore for making it to the appointments made by Dr Tsvangirai. President Tsvangirai also appointed former Assembly Chairpersons Nelson Chamisa and Tamsanqa Mahlangu in the shadow cabinet, this shows he is a leader who believes in young people.

The Assembly also joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Day of Peace, we had hoped to celebrate this in style by holding a march in the streets of Harare but the police have decided to deny us the opportunity.

We are taking up the matter with the courts and we hope justice will prevail and we will be granted our right to march.

This year’s theme is Education for peace. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has this to say:

"On this International Day of Peace, let us pledge to teach our children the value of tolerance and mutual respect. Let us invest in the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world that embraces diversity. Let us fight for peace and defend it with all our might."

For and on behalf of young people of Zimbabwe

MDC Youth Assembly Information Department.

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

14 Years of Resilience and pursuit of excellence

The MDC Youth Assembly is glad to be part of a great family that has
survived harsh conditions under an autocratic regime with no respect
for human rights.

The journey has not been easy and we suffered brutal attacks from the
repressive state apparatus, the fight against partisan institutions.

We remained resolute and we are proud to have won all the elections
that the party participated in.

The Party will on Saturday the 14th of September hold a rally to claim
the people’s victory, the Youth Assembly is clear that the election
was a farce, and a mockery of the people‘s will.

It is unfortunate that the regional community has since mistaken a
flawed transition for a democratic one.

As the Youth Assembly we celebrate the efforts of our leadership under
the leadership of Dr Morgan Tsvangirai.

The people have done everything that they could to deliver real change
but it was made impossible by a partisan commission in place. Instead
of investigating how ballot papers were found in the dust bin ZEC
decided to sue our National Deputy Chairperson Sen Morgan Komichi.

The Assembly celebrates the people’s victory and reassures the nation
that one day we will finally walk into freedom.

Long live MDC
Long live the people of Zimbabwe

Aluta!!!

Together to end,building a youth with a difference.

MDC Youth Assembly Provincial Secretary for the South African External Assembly Dies

She was born on the 21st of December in 1985 and passed away on the 4th of September 2013.

Isabel was a party member who rose through the ranks of the MDC Youth Assembly in the South African External Assembly until she became Provincial Youth Secretary a position she held until her death.

She was also studying towards a medical degree at Witwatersrand University.

She died after a being admitted for close to three weeks at the ICU.

The party will always remember Isabel as a person who dedicated her life to the fight for democracy, human rights and respect for the rule of law.

Before she died, Isabel contributed immensely in the recent election, she was part of a team that unearthed the distribution of fake voter registration slips in Harare.

We shall continue to fight relentlessly for what she and other deceased cadres believed in and we best assure their families and the nation as a whole that their efforts were not in vain.

It is sad that the nation is still in mourning after a stolen election and pain is added.

We say farewell our departed compatriot, sister, leader, comrade, friend and tireless fighter for democracy in Zimbabwe. 

May her family find comfort in the Lord and remember that we are in this together. 

Mourners are gathered at number 32 Mutsvanzva road, Mufakose in Harare. She will be laid to rest in Plumtree at a date to be announced in due course. 

MDC Youth Assembly Information Department