About 150 supporters of the youth group Community Tolerance for Reconciliation and Development (Cotrad) had gathered in Masvingo for the march. They are demanding that the ZANU PF thug end his violent campaign and get out of Masvingo province.
“The environment has been very hostile since the Cotrad executives were arrested yesterday and we were not surprised that soldiers were involved”, director of the youth group Gamuchirai Kumura told SW Radio Africa on Thursday. “They are always involved in national issues,” he added.
Kumura and three other youth leaders from Cotrad were seized by police on Wednesday and illegally detained for six hours. They said the police intimidated and warned them not to fight against Sibanda. But the youth leaders still gathered their supporters on Thursday, only to be dispersed by soldiers and police.
Sibanda has been forcing villagers in Masvingo to attend rallies where he threatens to murder those who do not support Robert Mugabe in elections. The party’s Masvingo executives once called for his dismissal saying he does more harm than good. But Sibanda defied them and caused a row.
Kumura said Cotrad plans to petition the provincial governor and the police because “every citizen has the right to freedom of assembly and speech”. He said the group has support from youths in 7 districts of Masvingo province and at least 300 would turn out for the next march.
The other Cotrad leaders who were briefly detained and intimidated on Wednesday were programmes manager Brighton Ramusi, Muchaneta Chimbo, and Talent Maposa.
Post published in: News