A member of parliament from Zimbabwe’s main opposition party Joanah Mamombe is spending the weekend in police custody. Mamombe was arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic police while attending a workshop in Nyanga. Mamombe had been on the police wanted list since 25 January 2019 following the January 2019 violent protests.

The January national shutdown that saw widespread looting and destruction of property when the Mnangagwa administration hiked the price of fuel by 150%.

The 25 year old Mamombe is the youngest member of parliament in the current Zimbabwean Parliament.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has issued a statement on their website condemning the arrest of Mamombe.

“The MDC condemns the arrest of Hon Joanna Mamombe which is nothing but an act of political persecution.

The MDC is concerned by the unrepentant behavior of the military State which continues to harrass MDC leaders, MPs, the general membership and leaders of Civic Society Organisations including workers’ Unions.

Hon Mamombe is not a criminal, the MDC is a team of law abiding transformers whose sole agenda is to create opportunity for prosperity to the people of Zimbabwe.

Criminals who are abusing public funds for personal gain including buying cars using state funds are walking freely while those who fight for the democratisation of Zimbabwe are persecuted.

We also condemn the claims by Jacob Mudenda that he has since handled the harrassmment of MPs.

The MDC is concerned by the abuse of law enforcement institutions and the Justice delivery system.

We are also concerned by the unnecessary raising of tension in a place where a conducive environment for dialogue must be created.

Several party leaders, MPs and councillors who are being persecuted must be allowed to enjoy their citizen rights.

The arrest of Hon Mamombe is an indictment of Mnangagwa’s pretence on commitment to dialogue.”