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PYD celebrates Madhuku's acquittal
Platform for Youth Development
March 07, 2012

Platform for Youth Development Trust (PYD) Director Claris Madhuku has eventually been acquitted on charges of contravening section 21 of POSA after numerous failed attempts to get justice.

Madhuku who was arrested in April last year while facilitating a meeting at Rimbi Growth Point in Chipinge and have been appearing in court and his case has been postponed 13 times.

"Finally justice has prevailed over evil, it was a very big inconvenience having to travel to court every month, and in some cases twice. As a matter of fact, I have always been optimistic and never allowed the case to over dominate my life, Madhuku said".

Chipinge Magistrate Vusumuzo Gapara dismissed the case arguing that the state had failed to prove their case beyond doubt. The misinformed state witnesses failed to interpret POSA and contradicted each other on the reason and details leading to the arrest of Madhuku.

It however turned out that Madhuku was merely a facilitator at the meeting and that the police were notified, attended and even participated willingly during the said meeting. Madhuku's lawyer Langton Mhungu of Mhungu, Matutu, Kwirira and Associates said he felt relieved by his client's acquittal. "Madhuku's case has been one of those very high profile political cases in Chipinge. When we started the case in April 2011 the atmosphere was intimidating with state agents filling the court at every appearance." "I am happy justice has been delivered and my client is free. I was particularly impressed by my client who showed no pressure. He is indeed a bonafide Human Right Defender," said Mhungu.

Madhuku who has been always on the offensive with the state details in Chipinge South said there is gross ignorance on the part of the police as they fail to appreciate the good work Platform for Youth Development has done so far in Chipinge.

The civil society leader also said that the police mistook his leadership for accountable and representative community development as exposing the former ruling party (ZANU PF) and the funders of Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant. Madhuku is on record of demanding formal details in a boundary dispute between Chisumbanje villagers and Macdom Pvt Ltd.

Temperatures in the country are beginning to rise; perhaps this is an indicator of the pending referendum and elections. In Masvingo Maluleke has already started unlawfully banning NGOs as much as the state is arresting MDC officials who are conducting internal workshops.

Two weeks ago the police in Matabeleland South detained thirty MDC officials for ten days at Beitbridge police station. They are all being charged for contravening section 21 of POSA.

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