By A Correspondent
The opposition party Zim People First has issued a strong call for the immediate release of Nicole Chabata, a schoolgirl detained since June 16. Chabata, one of the Avondale 78, was arrested by the regime for allegedly conspiring to disrupt the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in August.
Stephen Mazanza, the national chairman of Zim People First, has expressed profound frustration and urgency regarding Chabata’s prolonged detention.
Reflecting his deep concern as both a political leader and a father, Mazanza stated:
“As Zim People First National Chairman, who is also a father, I cannot sit and watch the regime use and abuse power to this level. This is now too much, and we have no option but to take things into our own hands.
If Nicole is not released as soon as possible, we are going to shut down schools and take to the streets. If that doesn’t work, we will do what they did before—we will fight for our independence.
We know we have friends in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique who have done it before. We can do it too and liberate ourselves from our own fathers and mothers who don’t care about our lives or futures enough. Enough is enough; one day is one day, and one day is now.”
Mazanza’s statement underscores the party’s intense dissatisfaction with the current regime’s handling of the situation. He further criticized the authorities for their lack of compassion, declaring:
“How can they hold a minor from June 16 to now and have peaceful nights?
They have no shame. What I am telling them, without any fear, is that we have the joker card—or in chess, the checkmate power play.
If we go into the streets and they kill or harm anyone, it’s game over. Everything is reset.
Tozvitangidza. I am furious and not happy at all.”
Adding to the tension, Zim People First has threatened to mobilize young people to stage widespread protests in response to Chabata’s ongoing detention.
This move reflects a growing frustration with the regime’s policies and treatment of young detainees, signaling potential civil unrest if their demands are not met.