MDC President, Senator Douglas Mwonzora, yesterday visited the 7 MDC members incarcerated at Harare Central Prison and Chikurubhi Maximum Prison.
The 7 were arrested in the dead of the night on the 23rd of April, on the eve of an anti CAB3 protest that the MDC had planned for the 24th of April.
The opposition party’s planned protest was banned by the police. The party then took the issue to court, where it was also rejected. No reasons were proffered for the rejection by the courts.
The Mwonzora led MDC, which has been at the forefront of opposing Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, has accused the authorities of launching a crackdown on the party which has seen many party activists being detained across the country.
Whilst visiting the MDC 7, party leader Senator Douglas Mwonzora also took the opportunity to visit incarcerated popular opposition activist Godfrey Karembera aka Madzibaba veShanduko, who has been languishing in remand prison for months after being arrested on the day of the “Geza demonstrations”.
The MDC leader, in a shock move, also announced that he would now be leading Madzibaba veShanduko’s legal team to secure his freedom.
Madzibaba veShanduko is a fiery supporter of former CCC leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa and has been arrested and allegedly tortured on several occasions whilst on the campaign trail.
He has had his home burnt down in rural Mashonaland West province. He has also allegedly that he and his family face regular discrimination within the community because of his support for Chamisa and the opposition.
Madzibaba veShanduko has a record of having attended all of Nelson Chamisa’s political rallies across the country since the formation of the CCC.
In a statement after Mwonzora’s visit to prison, his Spokesperson, Lloyd Damba said the following:
“The 7 MDC cadres are in high spirits, and they have not lost hope.
“The MDC President also took this opportunity to visit Godfrey Karembera, aka Madzibaba weShanduka.
He has been languishing in jail for a very long time now.
“Let me take this opportunity to announce that the MDC President Senator Douglas Mwonzora will from Monday be leading Madzibaba weShanduku’s defence legal team.
“A strong legal case will be presented on Monday with the aim of securing his immediate release from prison.
“We will keep you updated on this matter.
“Thank you for your attention.”