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Violence, recrimination and arrests after policeman's death in Glen View - Index of articles
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President Tsvangirai meets acquitted members
Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC-T)
September
24, 2013
The MDC will
not abandon the people’s struggle and remains committed to
achieving real change and transformation, President Tsvangirai has
said.
He made the
call today while welcoming 21 MDC activists who were acquitted last
Thursday at the High Court where they were facing false charges
of murdering a police officer in Glen View, Harare in 2011.
President Tsvangirai met the 21 activists, most of whom had spent
over two years in remand prison, at the party headquarters, Harvest
House in Harare.
The other seven
members facing similar charges were not acquitted and are expected
to stand trial while one of the accused, Rebecca Mafukeni died in
remand prison last month.
“These
are temporary setbacks. The party is fully behind you. The MDC is
fully behind the struggle. We have budgeted for a marathon not a
sprint. Success is guaranteed and the struggle has not been abandoned,”
President Tsvangirai assured the MDC members.
“I want
to give you my assurance that we are not going back in our fight
for real change. Let us not be diverted by Zanu-PF,” he said.
President Tsvangirai
said although it was encouraging that the 21 members had been acquitted,
it was unfortunate that they were released at a time when the nation
was in mourning following the massive rigging
of the people’s vote by Zanu-PF in the 31 July elections.
“You came out of prison when we have a nation in mourning.
However, as a party we are really indebted to your commitment. Do
not listen to those that are trying to demoralise you when you have
endured the worst.
“Freedom
which is circumscribed is not freedom. In a struggle, the dictatorship
knows who to target. In a game of football, the person in possession
of the ball is marked and targeted. They targeted you because you
were the most committed and most discernible cadres,” President
Tsvangirai said.
Turning to the
death of Mafukeni, President Tsvangirai said her death had shown
that “justice delayed is justice denied. “This is the
system that we are fighting against. We cannot have a system that
targets activists and the people of Zimbabwe. Let us remember the
other seven that have yet to stand trial for a crime they did not
commit. Our spirits and support are with them,” he said.
He promised
that the party will continue to support all the activists and their
families. “Lives have been divided. We don’t take this
lightly as you have sacrificed your lives for the struggle,”
said President Tsvangirai.
The President
was accompanied by the MDC national organising secretary, Hon. Nelson
Chamisa and welfare secretary, Hon. Lucia Matibenga.
Hon. Chamisa
urged the MDC members to stay on course in the execution of the
people’s struggle. “You should not doubt the MDC capacity.
We will defeat the dictatorship,” he said.
Hon. Matibenga
said the party leadership will not abandon those still in remand
prison.
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