What's your excuse for not taking a stand and speaking out against corruption and state capture?
I refuse to let fear or my disability atop me from exercising my democratic right! I am marching in my hometown, Masvingo!
#July31movement#ZanupfMustGo
🌑African Stories for Social Change : @asmbaraza will take place in Ghana! Meet the 2025 Cohort of African Change Makers! This year’s theme : THE POWER OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS! You can also follow the conversations online!
This is Zimbabwean lawyer Doug Coltart reading a letter written from prison by detained Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who was arrested on Monday and denied bail for a crime he did not commit.
He is accused of transmitting subversive material after his employer, HSTV, broadcast a briefing by war veteran and former secret service officer Blessed Geza.
In a normal country, if there were any case at all, it is HSTV that should be brought before the courts, not an employee. Blessed speaks from his heart in this prison letter, showing that far from attempting to break him, this persecution is making him stronger.
He needs our support, let us RETWEET his message in this video, solidarity is all we can give at this point.
TARGETING OF JOURNALISTS IS ARCHAIC …The arrest of journalist Blessed Mhlanga @bbmhlanga is a flagrant violation of fundamental freedoms and human rights.
This arrest is an affront to civilisation, press freedom and democracy.
Journalism is the oxygen that thrives society. A free press is the lifeblood of a progressive and functional modern society.
Section 61 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees freedom of the media; this right must be upheld!
The first indicator that those in government have turned against the people is in the targeting of journalists as conveyors of information and news.
Journalism as a profession must be protected.
#FreeBlessedMhlanga #PressFreedom
@BBCWorld@CNN@eNCA@Newzroom405@AlJazeeraWorld@Sophie_Mokoena
Lead us Mr. President!
No one can deny that @nelsonchamisa is the legitimate leader of the opposition in Zimbabwe. The masses are solidly behind him. I am solidly behind him.
The time has come for a new path to be forged towards true emancipation and freedom in 🇿🇼 🇿🇼
On Sept 26th, I joined hands with Trinity Charity Foundation, Nasvingo Dussability Network and the Sign Language Interpreters Association of Zimbabwe to lead the "Week of the Deaf" March in #Masvingo. We continue to reiterate that "Disability rights are human rights"! @dactzw
I had the pleasure of speaking on @HevoiFm on Key Budget priorities for PWDs, representing @dactzw. An inclusive budget is one that priorities the needs of marginalised people -and this is what we are calling for!
#InclusiveBudget
⚫️1. With a stubborn hope, strengthened resolve, and clarity of purpose I write to you with the deepest utmost gratitude for the love, solidarity, and support that Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and I have received which has warmed my heart. The love and solidarity have come from many Zimbabweans and people from around the world and it deeply inspires me to have a sense of humility, hope, and courage to continue the struggle for a better Zimbabwe even after our horrific ordeal. The messages, the prayers, the legal support, the medical support, practical assistance, and keyboard warriors have all worked together to ensure our release and it is this solidarity that kept my brothers in the struggle and me strong until day 35 when we were released on bail. I have also received a lot of love and solidarity from the 29 courageous women who were arrested on the 16th of June along with James Timba. The world must know that they are still at Chikurubi Maximum Female Prison and they have suffered a great deal from the brutal beatings they were subjected to on the 16th of June. These are the people who took care of me when I arrived at Chikurubi Prison, traumatized and in pain, and the people who gave me the hope and resolve to remain strong until my release on bail. I am aware that a few of them were released, however, we all are not free until all of them are free. We must take this moment as a nation to continue demanding the unconditional release of all political prisoners as there are many whose stories might never reach the media, but they still suffer greatly and their stories deserve to be told and heard.
On 31 July 2024, we (Chere, Gwenzi, and I) boarded a domestic flight to Victoria Falls at 12:50 and this was the start of our horrific ordeal. We were abducted, taken to the domestic terminal at the airport which at the time was closed to the public due to renovations, tortured, held incommunicado, intimidated, interrogated by unidentified persons, and finally handed over to the police after 8 hours upon which the disorderly conduct charges were brought against us. The persons who interrogated us kept accusing us of planning demonstrations to humiliate the country and the President during the SADC summit and they stated that we were on our way to Victoria Falls to meet more people to plan with. All of us were clueless about the stated accusation and we were told that “when the SADC visitors came to Zimbabwe, we had to be well-behaved and not humiliate the country”. In hindsight, I think of how silly these people sounded, and yet for those reasons we were abducted, tortured, and imprisoned. What is further concerning is the charge of disorderly conduct at an incident that occurred while I was outside Zimbabwe. Chere and Gwenzi were also not present at the stated incident! The issue is not about the charge of disorderly conduct, it is about the abduction and torture that happened prior ahead of the SADC summit and our abductors needing a justification for why we were held incommunicado for 8 hours before releasing us into police custody.
The conditions were we subject to after our arrest were macabre. The issue was that my co-accused were moved from remand prison to the D section of Chikurubi Maximum Prison for men and they would come to court with leg irons and handcuffs. They were treated like dangerous criminals and it shocks me still that persons charged with disorderly conduct are treated like those charged with more serious crimes. Of concern was Mr Chere whose injuries were extremely severe and walking in leg irons with his injuries is something that took courage and resilience. Prison life is difficult and prison conditions painful not only for political prisoners but for prisoners in general. I am thankful to the many individuals and organizations who I saw coming to visit prisoners particularly the 7th Day Adventist Church which a lot of prisoners speak highly of.
Continued~
Deeply saddened to announce the heartbreaking news of the passing of Hon. Bright Vanya Moyo (pictured with President Chamisa), the elected Member of Parliament for Lupane East. His tenure was tragically cut short by an unjust recall from parliament, orchestrated by Tshabangu in collusion with Zanupf - a devastating loss for our community.
I had the privilege of working with him in Lupane as the cluster leader there, witnessing firsthand his tireless work ethic, unwavering dedication, and the immense love he received from the people of Lupane. He was a man of the people. He remained steadfast, solid and true to the ideals we believe in - a true fighter!
Rest in peace, bafo; you ran your race, a good fight it was. Until we meet again!
THE STRUGGLE FOR A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE- WHERE WE ARE…
It has not been easy to stand for right, truth and the authentic alternative. I can understand the struggle fatigue. It has been a long, rough and tough journey, #traveled fighting brutality and oppression. Struggles are never easy. It is a struggle- and it is not instant coffee or a walk in the park!
1. Over time, a lot happens. Some fall by the wayside, some go offside yet very few remain onside and inside!!
2. Some get genuinely tired, exhausted and or get too old, yet can’t let go.
3. Some are disappointed, depressed and frustrated at the delay in quick results.
4.Some may resort to finger pointing and blame game as a post-election dissonance and frustration coping mechanism.
5.Some are pretenders, infiltrators and establishment collaborators who play for the other team. And they often shout and caricature the loudest.
6. Some admire the opportunities offered by occupying office and being in government-as President, Minister, MPs, Councillors or public service.
7. Some are content with benefits and privileges of power and position as opposition for life.
8. Some are in it for survival and employment escaping poverty and never for service, change and leaving a legacy.
9. Some seek short cuts decide that if we can’t beat them join them-so joining the gravy train becomes the easy answer!
10. Some choose to disengage and pursue personal goals, interests and business as private citizens.
11. Some are perennial skeptics and perpetual cynics and armchair critics. The naysayers and doomsayers. These are a mortal danger to a people struggle for a better world.
12. Some fight to the bitter end!
These few are in it for the long haul, for service and for Zimbabwe and its people AND I am proud to belong to this category.
The Struggles the world over and since time immemorial, are always laced with multiple sorrows and discomforts but ultimately victory kicks in.
All this suffering is not in vain. We can’t go through all this pain not to receive our gain and victory in due time!!
#NewDawn #Godisinit
This evening, I had a conversation with @AshrafGarda on @SAfmRadio, where I discussed Zimbabwe's tyrant, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and his massive abuse of human rights.
I spoke about his use of torture, the denial of bail through a captured and unprofessional judiciary, and the cruelty of keeping a one-year-old child in jail, while also denying another jailed pro-democracy mother the right to bury her child.
I reminded South Africa and SADC that failing to hold Mnangagwa accountable for his wicked and repressive tactics will drive more illegal immigrants into South Africa and the region.
Full conversation below.
Congratulations Mr. President.
Thank you #Senegal for showing the rest of Africa what is possible when citizens unite against impunity and political dynasties.
Sénégalaises, Sénégalais
Mes chers Compatriotes
Hôtes étrangers
Qui vivez parmi nous
La tenue de l’élection présidentielle que nous venons de vivre consacre avant tout la victoire du peuple Sénégalais
Popularity that Chamisa has, is beyond taking over from MRT, if that was the case akapera kare kare, they took buildings , names of the parties MDC-T , MDCA,took the colours, slogans & even tried to control the family members of the late MRT , but Chamisa went away nezodzo rake, Tshabangu is the latest example, he took everything, but anongotaurwa ndi Chamisa, there are other politicians who are leading empty buildings and chairs , no one talks about them , guys by now let us agree that NC is the best foot forward in the opposition politics, we might not agree with him on everything, which is fine, it is healthy not to agree on everything that’s democracy but guys Nero is the one for now until further notice, Ndozviripo