The MDC Alliance UK and Ireland Province is deeply shocked and appalled by Magistrate Bianca Makwande’s decision today in which she denied bail to the MDCA trio, Joana Mamombe MP, and National Youth leaders Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova. The decision is unwarranted and unnecessary, the 3 leaders who are still unwell should be in hospital recovering and not in prison where their safety is compromised. The leaders are being detained at Chikurubi maximum security prison, notorious for housing hardcore criminals in poor conditions.
This continued illegal detention of the MDCA trio is an indictment on the Mnangagwa administration. It exposes ZANU PF’s hypocrisy, on one hand they called for a national day of prayer and fasting in an attempt to demonstrate they are a caring government but on the other continue perpetrating injustice against innocent citizens.
We are aware that Mnangagwa’s government seeks to cover up the abduction, torture and abuse perpetrated on the MDCA trio by Zimbabwe State Security agents. The horrendous ordeal suffered by the MDCA trio is inhumane and degrading, no one should have to endure this type of treatment. The regime’s strategy is to cause fear among the leaders and break their spirit. This is a clear attempt to intimidate, stop them from speaking up and also discredit their integrity.
We note with concern the systematic attempt to use the captured Criminal Justice system in the continued persecution of the MDCA trio. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.
The MDC Alliance UK and Ireland Province demands the immediate unconditional release of the MDCA trio.Â
MDC Alliance UK & Ireland Province Communications Department