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Mthwakazi political prisoners strengthened by jail
03 Jun 2024 at 03:12hrs | Views
Activists from the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), recently released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, declared that their imprisonment has strengthened their commitment to the restoration of the Mthwakazi State.
The activists made these remarks during a welcome party organized by their party in Nketa on Saturday. Among those released was Mongameli Mlotshwa, MRP's national chairperson, who described his two-year incarceration as a significant, albeit challenging, part of their liberation journey.
"They arrested me as the chairperson of the party. It's just a curve on the path. Every struggle has its cross to bear. We will continue our struggle; the ill-treatment we endured in jail will not deter us. This is a movement, a revolution. Arresting us only makes things worse. We learned a lot in jail, even though people preach about caring for those imprisoned without truly understanding the experience," Mlotshwa said.
He recounted the harsh conditions, noting that they slept in overcrowded spaces and were constantly reminded of their lack of freedom. "We started at Khami Prison and were then transferred to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. Even the prison officials were surprised by this transfer," he added.
Mlotshwa explained that the transfer was allegedly ordered by higher authorities, which also affected other Ndebele-speaking inmates whose transfers were similarly obstructed. He highlighted that he and fellow activist Welcome Moyo were arrested while seeking dialogue with the police at Bulawayo Central Police Station about their night-time surveillance.
In June 2022, Bulawayo magistrate Tavengwa Sangster sentenced nine MRP members to prison. Two members, Welcome Moyo and Mongameli Xukuthwayo Mlotshwa, received 36-month jail terms. Seven others—Nkosinathi Ncube, Tinos Nkomo (73), Levison Ncube (62), Sibongile Banda (57), Busi Moyo (52), Ackim Ndebele, and Maxwell Nkosi—were sentenced to 33 months for violence.
On August 28, 2022, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services transferred Mlotshwa, Nkosinathi, Nkomo, Levison, Ndebele, Welcome, Sibongile Banda, and Busi to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare, following a directive from authorities. Only Nkosi was transferred to Gwanda.
The activists made these remarks during a welcome party organized by their party in Nketa on Saturday. Among those released was Mongameli Mlotshwa, MRP's national chairperson, who described his two-year incarceration as a significant, albeit challenging, part of their liberation journey.
"They arrested me as the chairperson of the party. It's just a curve on the path. Every struggle has its cross to bear. We will continue our struggle; the ill-treatment we endured in jail will not deter us. This is a movement, a revolution. Arresting us only makes things worse. We learned a lot in jail, even though people preach about caring for those imprisoned without truly understanding the experience," Mlotshwa said.
He recounted the harsh conditions, noting that they slept in overcrowded spaces and were constantly reminded of their lack of freedom. "We started at Khami Prison and were then transferred to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. Even the prison officials were surprised by this transfer," he added.
Mlotshwa explained that the transfer was allegedly ordered by higher authorities, which also affected other Ndebele-speaking inmates whose transfers were similarly obstructed. He highlighted that he and fellow activist Welcome Moyo were arrested while seeking dialogue with the police at Bulawayo Central Police Station about their night-time surveillance.
In June 2022, Bulawayo magistrate Tavengwa Sangster sentenced nine MRP members to prison. Two members, Welcome Moyo and Mongameli Xukuthwayo Mlotshwa, received 36-month jail terms. Seven others—Nkosinathi Ncube, Tinos Nkomo (73), Levison Ncube (62), Sibongile Banda (57), Busi Moyo (52), Ackim Ndebele, and Maxwell Nkosi—were sentenced to 33 months for violence.
On August 28, 2022, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services transferred Mlotshwa, Nkosinathi, Nkomo, Levison, Ndebele, Welcome, Sibongile Banda, and Busi to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare, following a directive from authorities. Only Nkosi was transferred to Gwanda.
Source - southeren eye
