Christians take a stand against Dokora

Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights would like to congratulate the people of Matabeleland for claiming their freedom of conscience and defying the national pledge directive by Minister Dokora today.

Once again the people of Matabeleland proved that they have the capacity and the power to defend their constitutional rights and they will not let anyone including government ministers tramp on the people's constitutional rights and freedoms without the people taking action.

In Bulawayo Christian organizations such as Habakkuk Trust and some churches campaigned for the boycott of the opening of schools and that parents should not take the presents as directed by the Minister and a survey in the western suburbs of Bulawayo revealed that attendance by students was below half in most primary schools. Furthermore, the survey revealed that very few parents turned up for the pledge launch as on average less than 50 parents attended.

Human Rights activists in rural Matabeleland such as Bulilima, Mangwe, Matobo, Gwanda, Lupane and Tsholotsho also confirmed that very few parents attended the pledge launch and most of those that attended had no presents.

In Bulilima District most parents boycotted the pledge launch even though students went to school. For instance only 2 parents turned up at Madlambudzi Primary, 4 at Bambadzi Secondary and 4 at Zenzele Secondary.

Meanwhile the Masowe Sect has joined the campaign against the pledge as they also withdrew their children from attending school today in most communities.

Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights "protecting and promoting human rights in the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe" Twitter: @MatHumanRights