We are stronger than ever: Madzore

I am writing from what has been my home for the past seven months: My 1,5m x 3,5m holding cell at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. My innocent colleagues and I are here because we have said enough is enough, Mugabe Must GO!

Our spirit and determination to go forward with the struggle are stronger than ever before. I am greatly humbled by the unwavering support and solidarity that you have continued to show. Our unjust incarceration has taught me that dictators are all the same everywhere. They harden their stance as they reach their breaking point. Think of Adolf Hitler, Pinochet, Idi Amini, Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi and many others. They are all history now. Zimbabweans waged a protracted struggle against the settler regime in pursuit of majority rule.

What is in doubt today is whether majority rule as a tenet and practice of democracy and good governance is still being practiced. Are Zimbabweans freer now under the leadership of Robert Mugabe than they were under Ian Douglas Smith and his Rhodesian Front?

It is unfortunate that land, our land, which was the major motivation behind the struggle for liberation, was parcelled out to a few people using ZANU PF’s patronage system, given on partisan lines, when indeed all Zimbabweans participated in the liberation struggle.

In the subsequent, patronized asset stripping and plunder spree reminiscent of the reckless land seizures and destruction of the agricultural sector – the back bone of our economy – has been packaged as indigenization, without clear policy framework, to perpetuate looting.

The patronage system run by Mugabe is clearly visible and hinged on the way the Zimbabwe Security forces are run. All the security arms’ leaders exude an archaic and corrupt way of dealing with citizens perceived to be opponents of the ailing commander in chief.

We sincerely trust that COPAC will expedite the completion of the constitution making process, so that we can move forward as a nation. This moment in our history, becomes a call to every youth out there to go and register to vote, vote and be ever prepared to defend their vote.

It is my sincere hope that the government will gear up its efforts in ensuring a violence free society. The youth also hope that the new constitution and subsequently the new govern ment will resuscitate and revamp our dying justice system that has been used as a tool of repression by the former ruling party.

We also hope to see prosecution of 2008 murderers and those who committed their crimes before that period. Truth, reconciliation, justice and genuine individual and societal healing are indispensable if our nation is to progress.

The forthcoming election must ensure that our civil servants’ working conditions are greatly improved and that they are motivated by a reasonable remuneration in order to effectively implement govern ment work programmes.

I challenge fellow youth and the broader Zimbabwean community to reignite the fighting resolve. It is our duty as the youth to ensure that we reclaim what is rightfully ours. Our determination and conviction to see a better Zimbabwe for all must be our driving force. We will always remember how all Zimbabweans from all walks of life sacrificed their lives for the birth of our nation.