By Tawanda S Dzvokora | In a press conference at the Zanu-PF Headquarters on August 19, 2019, Pupurai Togarepi, the 55-year-old Secretary of Youth in the Zanu-PF government accused US Ambassador, Mr. Brian Nichols, of meddling in Zimbabwe’s politics, encouraging demonstrations, sponsoring terrorists and aiding do called “violent” protests by MDC-A.
These mischievous statements also come after State Media had accused the US ambassador to Zimbabwe of actively encouraging MDC officials to go ahead with Friday’s demonstrations and assuring MDC that the US would impose punitive measures should the government arrest or assault the protestors. The Zanu-PF government’s state media also alleges that there are three hands, US embassy officials, the MDC and civic society organizations that are engaged in planning to oust president Mnangagwa.
Firstly, Togarepi Pupurai at age 55 you are no longer a youth. In a normal party like the MDC after age 35 one is no longer a youth. However, we would understand, knowing that your party, Zanu-PF, is well known for geriatric leaders.
There is no second or third hand behind the peaceful demonstrations by the citizens of Zimbabwe. For over 3 decades your party has been digging its own grave and it is now almost done. If you refer to the Zimbabwe Constitution, Chapter 4, Part 2, Section 59, it says: *Every person has the right to demonstrate and to present petitions, but these rights must be exercised peacefully*. The people of Zimbabwe have been peacefully using demos to let the government know of their misery, torture from the government, hunger, no jobs, no running water, no electricity, no education, no money, no basic needs met, the collapse of industries and infrastructure. Zimbabweans are asking for political and economic reform. However, your illegitimate government has captured the armed forces and hapless real youths to react ruthlessly with live ammunition and baton sticks, killing and maiming citizens who are demanding their rights.
Your colleague, Home Affairs Minister, Cain Mathema, has warned NGOs to disclose their sources of funding or they will be deemed spy organizations and forced to close their offices. Disgusting. The people of Zimbabwe are grateful to NGOs because it is difficult to fathom what condition the country would be like without the NGOs.
Zanu-pf is the axis of evil, perpetuating suffering through plundering of the nation’s wealth, police and military brutality, abuse of citizens, including your relatives Pupurai, and denying them of their fundamental rights. The world has for decades watched your party strip Zimbabwean citizens of their fundamental rights, beat them up, maim, kill and destroy their property. It is necessary and important that the world knows that Mnangagwa and his ZANU-PF government including you Pupurai, are evil terrorists, lawless thugs, thieves, murders and a very selfish lot.
All the killings and injustices you pretend to be blind to will continue to set back and isolate the country in the eyes of the international community, Zanu-Pf’s own doing not by anyone’s hand. The USA you barked at in your statement is part of the international community your president Mnangagwa has been courting and wooing through lobbyists. What a confused contradiction!
Meanwhile, Zimbabweans are eagerly calling for and anticipating intervention by the international bodies in accordance with internationally agreed procedures of international responsibility to protect world citizens.
To use your words Pupurai, we know just as the sun will rise tomorrow that we shall soon be free from the heartless Zanu-PF government, including yourself.
Behold the people’s revolution is nigh!
Tawanda S Dzvokora
MDC North America Chairman