Zimbabwean News You Can Trust
The United African National Council (UANC) leader Gwinyai Muzorewa has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to release political prisoners arrested before, during and after the SADC summit.
Muzorewa’s call comes after opposition activists, the Avondale 77, and party leaders like Jacob Ngarivhume and Jameson Timba, have spent weeks behind bars with the courts denying them bail for reasons that they will cause public disorder and plunge the country into nationwide protests.
Addressing journalists in Harare last week Friday, Muzorewa appealed to the SADC Chairman to exercise his presidential powers, and “consider releasing all political party members and other civilians charged with offenses, as a sign of exercising mercy and forgiveness.”
Dr. Muzorewa continued to plead for the release of political prisoners, adding that “ordering the release of political activists could help them acquire a better sense of what SADC is in terms of solidarity, good governance and democracy.”
Before Muzorewa’s plea, Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa recently stressed his party will likely secure the release of over 100 political prisoners detained in the lead-up to and during the summit, because the regional meeting has concluded.
“We will reward their failure to disrupt the SADC summit with freedom. Now that the event is over, we will work with the Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Kazembe Kazembe, and the justice system to ensure their imminent release,” Mutsvangwa said.
Meanwhile, over 100 opposition political activists were arrested for participating in unlawful gatherings and disorderly conduct before, during and after the country held the 44th SADC summit, in which Mnangagwa was appointed the chairman of the bloc.