Mavis Kasiya,
Reverend Gwinyai Muzorewa, president of the opposition party United African National Council (UANC), has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to release all opposition political party members, civilians and human rights activists who were arrested on various charges and are currently detained in remand prison.
Speaking during a media briefing in Harare this Friday, the UANC leader said he is appealing to President Mnangagwa to release the political prisoners, some who have been in incarceration since June and others weeks before the much-anticipated Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit that took place on the 16th of August.
“President Mnangagwa who is known to have released hundreds of prisoners under presidential pardon before can do it again in the sprit of Ubuntu. In the same spirit we plead for the release of our activists, who are your children. This will add to Zimbabwe’s virtue and glory,” Reverend Muzorewa said.
Since June there has been notable cases of arrests. Political leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Jameson Timba and 77 political activists were arrested and are still in remand prison pending trial.
Human Rights defender Namatai Kwekweza and others, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi and Vusimuzi Moyo were also arrested.
Soon after the arrest of Kwekweza and others, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International released a statement condemning the arrests, the human rights groups said they found evidence of torture and several human rights violations on the detainees and pressed for the release of those arrested.
“By ordering their release, Your Excellency could help in setting the tone as the current SADC Chairman and this allows people to get the sense of what SADC is all about. It is about development, technological innovation, tolerance, security, solidarity, good governance and democracy. In the spirit of SADC solidarity and without judging the nature of the offence, demonstrate and implement presidential pardon to your children,” said Reverend Muzorewa.
President Mnangagwa assumed the role of SADC Chairman this August allowing him to be at the helm of the region in promoting peace and security, development and good and governance.
