News / National
'I did not describe Mugabe as a limping donkey'
09 May 2013 at 03:45hrs | Views
A Zimbabwean opposition youth leader arrested for allegedly calling Robert Mugabe a "limping donkey" who should be put out to pasture is to spend a second week behind bars.
Solomon Madzore, head of the youth wing of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), denies describing the 89-year-old president that way and claims the charge was trumped up by police loyal to Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
The MDC claimed Madzore's arrest was a sign of desperation by Zanu-PF, calling it "the kicks of a dying horse". Clifford Hlatywayo, spokesman for the MDC youth assembly, who was at the rally, said: "The accusation is not true. He said he respects the person and the office of the president and wants Zimbabwe to move forward. We don't remember him insulting individuals. These are fabrications that are meant to disturb the movement and the person."
Hlatywayo said the youth assembly was campaigning for the prime minister and MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, around the country and calling for a peaceful vote, a message that riled Zanu-PF. He added: "Zanu-PF is allergic to peace. It hates peace so anyone who proclaims peace is an enemy to them. They brew and drink violence."
Hlatywayo visited Madzore in remand prison on Wednesday. "He is in a good condition. The jail is well-known for inhumane conditions but he is surviving well. He is in high spirits. He is giving us courage to soldier on and encouraging us to continue with our campaign."
Madzore has previously spent more than 400 days in prison in connection with the death of a policeman.
Detention for making offensive comments about the presidency is not unusual in Zimbabwe. At least 60 have been arrested and charged with insulting Mugabe since 2010, according to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Solomon Madzore, head of the youth wing of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), denies describing the 89-year-old president that way and claims the charge was trumped up by police loyal to Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
The MDC claimed Madzore's arrest was a sign of desperation by Zanu-PF, calling it "the kicks of a dying horse". Clifford Hlatywayo, spokesman for the MDC youth assembly, who was at the rally, said: "The accusation is not true. He said he respects the person and the office of the president and wants Zimbabwe to move forward. We don't remember him insulting individuals. These are fabrications that are meant to disturb the movement and the person."
Hlatywayo said the youth assembly was campaigning for the prime minister and MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, around the country and calling for a peaceful vote, a message that riled Zanu-PF. He added: "Zanu-PF is allergic to peace. It hates peace so anyone who proclaims peace is an enemy to them. They brew and drink violence."
Hlatywayo visited Madzore in remand prison on Wednesday. "He is in a good condition. The jail is well-known for inhumane conditions but he is surviving well. He is in high spirits. He is giving us courage to soldier on and encouraging us to continue with our campaign."
Madzore has previously spent more than 400 days in prison in connection with the death of a policeman.
Detention for making offensive comments about the presidency is not unusual in Zimbabwe. At least 60 have been arrested and charged with insulting Mugabe since 2010, according to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Source - guardian
