The arrests seem to have been heightened by imaginary fears emanating from events in North Africa and the Middle East. Since trouble began in Tunisia, cascading into Egypt, Libya and other parts of the Arab world, we have seen a paranoid attempt by certain sections of the state apparatus to target the MDC and its allies in civil society with intimidatory and trumped up charges.
While the turmoil was confined to Tunisia and Egypt, Zanu PF marshaled all its forces and appeared to side with the people, vilifying the United States for its previous support for the Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak regimes. But when Libya entered the fray, Zanu PF immediately dropped down stone-cold. The state media imposed a veil of censorship, denying the people any news and information on the peoples uprising.
Zimbabweans were suddenly exposed to a barrage of intimidatory statements from senior Zanu PF officials, including Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and several senior police officers warning them against emulating whatever is happening in the Arab world.
The case of Munyaradzi Gwisai and 45 others is a case in point. Soon after their arrest, court records show that they were brutally tortured; denied medication and access to their lawyers; and deprived of their freedom on the pretext that they committed treason. The MDC further notes that Job Sikhala, the former MP for St. Marys, was arrested at the weekend for an unknown charge.
Our MDC MPs and other activists remain incarcerated, Hon Tazviona and six other MDC activists in Midlands North, and Hon Mwonzora and 14 others in Nyanga remain behind bars as the Zanu PF elements in the state continue to oppose bail. The MDC sees the current pattern of trying to link events taking place elsewhere to effect a crackdown on the people as a ruse to silence the people and throw Zimbabwe back to the dark days of uncertainty. The party urges the people to remain resolute and steadfast in the struggle for real change. What is happening reflects the last acts of desperation from a nostalgic group of people who have lost their way and are unsure about their fate.
As a nation, we have made indelible advances towards normalizing our society; creating a new political dispensation and a permanent spring-board for lasting, democratic and real change. The MDC calls on Zimbabweans to must stay firmly stuck on a clear course towards real change.
Together, united, winning, voting for real change!!
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