The MDC Youth Assembly is highly incensed by state security agents’ uncouth, unprofessional, inhumane and fascist (mis)behavior as evidenced by last night abductions of MDC Mufakose Youth Chair, Blessing Kanotunga and Citizens Manifesto activist Tatenda Mombeyarara.

It is very regrettable that at a time when we as a party are preaching and propagating for peaceful solutions to the current legitimacy and economic crises, the state in their wisdom or lack of it chose the moment to hatch a Night of Long Knives of on our members.

As an Assembly we are not only riled by the latest state manoeuvres but we are deeply concerned that such provocative uncouth behavior will cause chaos as violence begets violence.

As an Assembly we would like to categorically make it clear that such provocative state misbehavior is a clear declaration of war on civilians and like any normal beings we are ready to act in a fashion that safeguards our people interest.

It is no secret that the last time the state pulled such antics on civilians in the 1970s, the country went into a full fledged liberation war.

As an Assembly we reiterate our call for non violent engagement to proffer solutions to the illegitimacy and economic crises and thats the very reason why we have implored peaceful means to register our discontentment in all our 20 years of existence as a party.

It is very clear that the state’s latest new low is a sign of cowardice and desperation to stop our August 16 mass action program.

In that regard, we would like to make it clear that the August 16 demonstrations will go ahead as planned albeit through peaceful means.

Our concerns as young people are very genuine and realistic.

It is no fabrication that our homes are empty, unemployment is rife, fuel prices is high, basic commodities are unaffordable and the country is in darkness because of electricity blackouts.

As young social democrats whose cardinal is solidarity with the downtrodden, remaining silent while our people suffer is not only a great disservice but betrayal.

It is becoming increasingly clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa administration’s vision 2030 is taking us back to stone age era through ruralization of our urban centres.

That the state’s merchants of repression are now resorting to violence and abductions is a clear indication that they have no solution to the current economic challenges.

Violence is never and will never be a panacea to issues of economy.

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson