The demonstration will also be held in support of Itai Dzamara, the OAUS leader who was abducted on Monday and whose whereabouts are not yet known.
Speculation was rife yesterday that Dzamara was in police custody at Harare Central police station.
However, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’ Kumbirai Mafunda told The Zimbabwean that police denied detaining him.
The UK chapter said even if Dzamara was released, the protest would still proceed.
“This is in protest of the way citizens are being treated in Zimbabwe. We cannot be slaves in our own country. We now live in perpetual fear. Our lives are in danger the moment we question things that are bedevilling Zimbabwe.
“We come in peace and we shall die for Zimbabwe in peace. We will continue to cry for freedom in peace. We condemn any form of violence. We are the people. We are the numbers. Let’s Go. The Struggle Continues Unabated,” read a statement by the OAUS UK chapter.
It added: “We are not pointing fingers nor are we accusing anyone. We are simply saying that whoever abducted Itai Dzamara should bring him back safely to his wife, children and family. We are not seeking any political mileage. Itai Dzamara has achieved enough mileage already, hence his abduction. Why should he be silenced?”
Dzamara started the OAUS campaign in October last year, calling on President Robert Mugabe to step down for failure to solve current economic and political problems.
Together with some members of the campaign, he has been beaten up and arrested for the peaceful protests the group has been carrying out.
Youths yesterday reacted angrily against Dzamara’s abduction and were involved in scuffles with the police, who later invaded the MDC-T Harvest House headquarters saying they were searching for a helmet that the protesters had confiscated.
Police reportedly beat up MDC-T secretariat members, including Luke Tamborinyoka, Morgan Tsvangirai's spokesperson.
Post published in: Human Rights