Youth Forum Independence Day Message

The Youth Forum salutes the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who sacrificed their lives in laying the true foundations of the political independence that we enjoy today. The Youth Forum further salutes the youths of Zimbabwe and all Zimbabweans in general for the political maturity that they exhibited before and during the March 29 harmonized elections, which we are quite aware, were won by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

 

We remind all and sundry that the Independence Day speech is delivered by the Head of State and therefore the people of Zimbabwe should not take it lightly when the dictatorship of Mugabe tries to lead in such a crucial national process. It is astonishing to note that Robert Mugabe, the ex-Zimbabwean president, currently leading a military junta which has declared a de facto coup in Zimbabwe insists on addressing Independence Day celebrations. The military junta is in full control of the country and has deployed its members throughout the country who are terrorizing innocent civilians in a reprisal move meant to punish the electorate for voting for the opposition. Press reports indicate that 500 people have been displaced across the country whilst 63 people are feared dead after being attacked by ZANU PF militia while hundreds others have been injured in this terror campaign, curfews are being effected in high density suburbs and this has seen people being badly assaulted in St Marys, Glen-View, Mbare, Mabvuku and Mufakose. Bulawayo is also under the same the same scenario.

 

The Youth Forum condemns in the strongest terms the subversion and subjugation of the legitimate verdict passed against ZANU-PF by the people of Zimbabwe on the 29th of March. The people of Zimbabwe have endured a lot of suffering presided over by ZANU PF and it is this continuous suffering that the people voted against. It would however be wrong for ZANU PF to assume that they can preside over this country against the will of the people. That has failed in other collapsed dictatorships much in the same way that it will definitely fail in Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe’s days are indeed numbered as he has already shown that he can no longer manage the Zimbabwean economy and that is unacceptable to the people of Zimbabwe.

 

We urge all the youths and the general populace of Zimbabwe to remain vigilant in these trying times. The darkest hour is indeed before dawn. We further urge all Zimbabweans to remain peaceful in the face of the military-led reprisal that is ravaging across the country. These are indeed the last kicks of a dying regime. The will of the people will always prevail.

 

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