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MDC condemns the onslaught on PTUZ members
Movement for Democratic Change
February 21, 2008

The MDC condemns the unjustified and illegal arrest, detention and torture of eight members of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday.

The eight members, who include the PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, were beaten up by Zanu PF thugs and are recovering under police guard at a private clinic in Harare. Their only crime was to distribute flyers to teachers who are struggling to survive on a paltry salary of $200 million per month.

The brutal assault of the PTUZ members and their subsequent arrest confirms that the political environment in Zimbabwe is not conducive for a free and fair election. With a regime that arrests the victims of a brutal assault and criminalizes distribution of flyers, it is clear that the leopard has not changed its spots.

The MDC believes that notwithstanding the regime's deception to SADC, the AU and the international community, Zanu PF is not ready to respect human rights and to hold a free and fair poll. Zanu PF continues its unjustified onslaught on both the membership and the leadership of civic society and the MDC because it is afraid of the people. It has dismally failed to address the people's challenges of food, jobs, electricity, transport, health care and education.

The brutal assault and arrest of the PTUZ members shows that this is likely to be another election anchored on violence. Such an election will inevitably breed another contested outcome. One of the key issues that led to the breaking down of the SADC-brokered talks between Zanu PF and the MDC was the political environment. As a party, we are not convinced that Zanu PF is prepared for a free and unfettered environment for Zimbabweans to express themselves. Our position is being vindicated everyday.

Zimbabweans know that Zanu PF is working hard to suppress the free expression of the people in this election. We are aware that Zanu PF is trying to stand between the people and their vision of a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning. The onslaught on civic society and the MDC is meant to instill fear and prevent Zimbabweans from freely expressing themselves on 29 March 2008.

2008 is the people's year. The regime is cornered and the people of Zimbabwe will have their day on 29 March.

MDC Information and Publicity Department

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