MDC Dissapointed By The Continued Harassment And Violation Of People's Rights {Full Text}

The MDC is disappointed and dismayed by the continued harassment and violation of People’s Rights as exemplified by the unjustified remand in custody of Makomborero Haruzivishe and Alan Moyo to Monday for Bail Ruling.

The duo was arrested on Thursday evening at Red Roof restaurant together with 32 others and at the time of their arrest, they were neither informed of the reasons thereof or informed of their rights to contact a legal practitioner or their relatives in violation of Section 50 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Instead, they were assaulted using baton sticks and bundled into a police truck and taken to Harare Central Police Station Law and Order where they were still not told why they were being harassed like that.

In the process, some lost their property like cellphones while some like laptops were damaged.

No explanation was given for this high-handed behaviour and it was only when their lawyers arrived that the Police then said that the 34 had been arrested for public drinking.

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This was nonsensical and laughable and none of the arrested persons agreed to pay an admission of guilt fine for a none existent offence.

It was only then that the charges of participating in a gathering with intent to commit public violence were preferred against all of the arrested persons only for the Police to release all but two cited above who were taken to Court this morning.

This wanton and brazen behaviour has no place in a democratic country. But unfortunately in Zimbabwe, it is now the norm.

We in the MDC have no hesitation in condemning this kind of behaviour. It is time for the Police to be held accountable for their actions.

The situation is compounded by our courts which at times unnecessarily prolong the agony of accused persons by reserving rulings even on simple matters.

The liberty of an individual is a fundamental right and it is unfortunate that the two young men have been deprived of their liberty since Thursday night.

We call upon our judiciary not to deny or delay justice to all arrested persons.

The MDC will continue to fight for the Return to Legitimacy and upholding of the Rule of Law so that the people can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms enshrined in the Supreme Law of the Land.

This can only happen when free and fair elections are held and we have a people-centred government led by the People’s Choice Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Innocent Gonese
MDC Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs