The placard waving youths were picked up just outside the Mhlahlandlela Government building where they sought an audience with government officials. They were taken to Drill Hall where they were detained.
Led by MDC-T Bulawayo provincial youth chairperson, Councillor Mlandu Ncube, the group accused President Robert Mugabe for running down the country and ruining the economy. They also demanded the release of journalist Itai Dzamara who was abducted last year by suspected state agents and has not been seen since.
BUYA spokesperson, Alfred Dzirutwe, who addressed journalists soon after the arrest of his colleagues, called on the Zanu PF government to step down as they have failed the youths.
“We want the government to explain a number of issues to us or else they should resign en masse if they have failed rather than try and crush voices from unarmed youths who are conducting a peaceful demonstration,” he said.
Councillor slammed the police for their heavy handed approach to peaceful demonstrations.
The protest comes a few weeks after the mainstream opposition political party, MDC-T, held a massive demonstration in Bulawayo calling on Mugabe to step down.
In Harare, there have been frequent demonstrations with the latest being the Monday protest against education minister, Lazarus Dokora. Ahead of that, a group of activists were on Sunday and Friday picked up after storming the Rainbow Towers to protest against vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s continued stay at the hotel.
Mphoko has been staying at the hotel since his appointment to the presidium in 2014.
Post published in: Featured