MDC Youth Assembly statement on growing police intolerance

The MDC YOUTH ASSEMBLY notes, with disappointment ,  a rising record of police intolerance to Zimbabweans exercising their rights to freedoms of speech, assembly and association. We note that over the past three months no less than 500 citizens have been beaten, arrested or both while exercising their constitutional rights. This figure adds to deaths on account of police brutality as recorded in Makokoba six weeks ago.

As recent as Thursday 18 August 2016, MDC Youth Assembly Spokesperson Cde Brighton Makunike and other young people were arrested in Mashonaland East as they marched peacefully in solidarity with Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ)'s campaign for better working conditions for rural teachers. We condemn the arrest of Makunike and others. It is our contention that their demands are not only peaceful but legitimate and just.

It is a matter of public knowledge that rural based civil servants suffer the most as they travel to their work stations on dilapidated roads and live on unclean and unsafe water and unreliable, hazardous sources of energy amongst other challenges. Rural workers deserve a better government with a devolved administration in order to be able to attend to the exclusive needs of each community and each sector.

The MDC Youth Assembly further calls for
1) the immediate release of Cde Makunike, RTUZ President Cde Obert Masaraure  and fellow human rights defenders

2) the release of Linda Musarara and all political detainees

3) state compensation of Makokoba victims and survivors of police brutality

4) the speeding up of bilateral and multilateral efforts towards the building of a united democratic opposition coalition to fight ZANU PF cannibalism from now until 2018 elections.

The MDC Youth Assembly is committed towards peaceful multilateral cooperation with democratic, non-violent youth groups in fighting for a Fair and Just Zimbabwe where diversity of opinions is celebrated and not suppressed.