Increasing human rights violations a concern - PDP

Attempts to quash political dissent witnessed in the past few weeks concerns the People's Democratic Party.

In the past few weeks the state has demonstrated its unrepentant disrespect of human rights.

They have banned opposition rallies, arrested activists on trumped up charges connected to organising political activity.

One such recent example is that of the arrest of Adv Fadzai Mahere who got arrested for organising a football tournament. Families including kids were left shell shocked and scared at the sight of police armed to the teeth picking up an unarmed civilian who is but exercising their constitutional right.

Those who were attending a political event for the first time now view the exercise of their political rights as a crime, we find this unbecoming and unacceptable.

More concerning is the idea that the government is now moving to quash freedom of expression, Zimbabweans are now leaving in fear.

The recent arrest of Martha O'Donovan is such a bad example.

We mentioned it consistently that ZANUPF's insistence on bringing cyber monitoring laws and departments is just but a mechanism to persecute those who dissent rather than an act of national security. Just recently police brutalised Mugove Tafirenyika a scribe with the daily news in another attempt to supress freedom of expression.

Richard Chidza of the Newsday was also assaulted by known ZANUPF thugs who up to now have not been arrested neither is there an investigation.

When a government turns against the people, it ceases to serve the purpose of its existence.

Turning law enforcement into repressive anti-democracy infrastructure is unacceptable, these are issues that must unite Zimbabweans against dictatorship.

That retweeting a message on social media can constitute a crime, in a country where colonialism was defeated 37 years ago is not a good enough.

We are aware of the hand of one Patrick Chinamasa who was sacked for destroying our economy now he is up to destroy our freedom. He is a guy who is classified as a destroyer even on pathetic ZANUPF standards.

Chinamasa has stolen our dignity we cannot allow him to steal our voices, the moment we keep quiet and suffer peacefully we lose the battle.

When the liberators use the same rules used by the oppressors, the citizen must know they are on their own therefore a call to defend ourselves becomes an obligation.

We have always argued that during election season, ZANUPF goes back to its default military settings. That of violence, use of force and the deployment of state apparatus against the citizen.

Recently, the chiefs made a partisan and unconstitutional declaration on a national television. This also was meant to scare the citizen especially those in rural areas from enjoying their right to choose, join and participate in activities of a political party of their choice, it is a right provided in section 67 of the constitution.

In this period of voter registration the same chiefs have been coercing citizens to declare serial numbers of their registration slips.

The rise of these human rights violation concern us, we however see an opportunity in the next election, an opportunity to unite against tyranny and fascism.

The right to vote is not just an ordinary right but an obligation to honour the tens of thousands who died in the liberation struggle just to assert this right.

We have a chance to recapture the Zimbabwean dream in all this madness.

A dream to live long, live well and live happy.

Together Another Zimbabwe is Possible