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Welshman Ncube condemns Biti arrest over anti‑Amendment No. 3 campaigns
10 hrs ago |
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Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Professor Welshman Ncube has strongly condemned the arrest of Constitutional Defenders Forum (CDF) convener Tendai Biti and several other democracy activists in Mutare.
"We are deeply alarmed by the detention of Hon. Biti, alongside journalist Fanuel Chinowaita, Hon. Morgan Ncube, and lawyer Nyasha Gerald, while they were peacefully conducting a meet‑the‑people campaign opposing Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. Their arrest represents a blatant assault on constitutional freedoms, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, association, and political participation," Ncube said.
He said the arrests expose a disturbing pattern of selective application of the law.
"While citizens and civic actors are being criminalised for engaging communities on matters of national importance, the ruling party, ZANU‑PF, is openly conducting nationwide mobilisation campaigns in support of the same Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3," he said.
Ncube raised particular concern over the fact that the ruling party's "consultations" are being led by ZANU‑PF Secretary for Administration Jacob Mudenda, who is also the Speaker of Parliament.
He said this dual role presents a clear conflict of interest, as Mudenda is constitutionally required to preside over parliamentary debate on the same Bill.
"Such conduct fundamentally undermines the principles of impartiality, fairness and institutional integrity," Ncube said.
He added that it is unacceptable for ZANU‑PF to hold meetings in every ward across the country while dissenting voices are arrested, beaten, harassed and silenced.
"What happened to Prof Madhuku is a case in point. This is not democracy - it is state‑sponsored repression and victimisation," he said.
Ncube said the shrinking of democratic space through intimidation, arbitrary arrests and suppression of alternative voices violates the Constitution and betrays the liberation values on which Zimbabwe was founded.
He said the same Constitution that ZANU‑PF seeks to amend without a referendum must be protected.
"We therefore demand the immediate and unconditional release of Hon. Tendai Biti and all those arrested; an end to the selective and partisan application of the law; the restoration of a free and open democratic space; and the upholding of constitutionalism, particularly in processes relating to constitutional amendments, which must be inclusive, transparent and impartial," he said.
"Zimbabwe belongs to all its citizens - not to a single party or political elite. The attempt to silence dissent will not succeed. The people of Zimbabwe have a constitutional right to speak, organise and defend their democracy."
"We are deeply alarmed by the detention of Hon. Biti, alongside journalist Fanuel Chinowaita, Hon. Morgan Ncube, and lawyer Nyasha Gerald, while they were peacefully conducting a meet‑the‑people campaign opposing Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. Their arrest represents a blatant assault on constitutional freedoms, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, association, and political participation," Ncube said.
He said the arrests expose a disturbing pattern of selective application of the law.
"While citizens and civic actors are being criminalised for engaging communities on matters of national importance, the ruling party, ZANU‑PF, is openly conducting nationwide mobilisation campaigns in support of the same Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3," he said.
Ncube raised particular concern over the fact that the ruling party's "consultations" are being led by ZANU‑PF Secretary for Administration Jacob Mudenda, who is also the Speaker of Parliament.
He said this dual role presents a clear conflict of interest, as Mudenda is constitutionally required to preside over parliamentary debate on the same Bill.
He added that it is unacceptable for ZANU‑PF to hold meetings in every ward across the country while dissenting voices are arrested, beaten, harassed and silenced.
"What happened to Prof Madhuku is a case in point. This is not democracy - it is state‑sponsored repression and victimisation," he said.
Ncube said the shrinking of democratic space through intimidation, arbitrary arrests and suppression of alternative voices violates the Constitution and betrays the liberation values on which Zimbabwe was founded.
He said the same Constitution that ZANU‑PF seeks to amend without a referendum must be protected.
"We therefore demand the immediate and unconditional release of Hon. Tendai Biti and all those arrested; an end to the selective and partisan application of the law; the restoration of a free and open democratic space; and the upholding of constitutionalism, particularly in processes relating to constitutional amendments, which must be inclusive, transparent and impartial," he said.
"Zimbabwe belongs to all its citizens - not to a single party or political elite. The attempt to silence dissent will not succeed. The people of Zimbabwe have a constitutional right to speak, organise and defend their democracy."
Source - Byo24News
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