YARD(Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy) leader, Themba Mliswa, has been arrested together with (23) twenty three friends on allegations of holding an unsanctioned meeting in Esigodini.
Mliswa was at the time of writing currently detained at Esigodini police station where the cops were waiting for the Law and Order section to determine his fate.
He is being represented by his lawyer, Douglas Mwonzora.
He has been charged under the draconian POSA (Public Order and Security Act) which under the new constitution is now illegal.
Sources told ZimEye.com Mliswa successfully pleaded with the police to release his 23 friends (who are YARD members) so that they can return to their universities, remaining incarcerated alone at the end of it all.
Kudzanai Mashumba, the Director for Zimbabwe People Protection Forum, an organization dealing with Political violence, said they are “so worried on why the government has started arresting people who are exercising their democratic right”.
He continued: “We urge the government of Zimbabwe to desist from it character of silencing people who are championing democratic space.
“We as Zimbabwe People Protection Forum will very soon engage Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission over this deteriorating political violence happening in Zimbabwe. We are also worried why yesterday Vice President Mnangagwa officiated offices of the commission in Harare.  He emphasized that Zimbabwe must abide by the Global Family of Human rights”.
The whole development was revealed in a press statement released on Mliswa’s behalf by his secretary stating: Today we came face to face with the ruthlessness and brutality of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Esigodini as I was meeting with the District Executive Command. We met in a private restaurant, and during the meeting, Councillor Patson Sibanda disrupted the meeting and was educated on the constitutionality of the meeting.
However, the Councillor managed to conspire with Sergeant Mhiripiri, acting Officer in Charge for the police station where I have since been detained, together with 23 YARD commanders, for the past 5 hours
As is the responsibility of myself as a father, a mentor and above all, as the Commander in Chief of the Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy, I have taken full responsibility and have decided to personally defend justice and constitutionality against this police harassment. I have hence taken the stance to be charged and detained for as long as it takes in my personal capacity.
We did nothing wrong. Our lawyers are on the matter, an urgent high court application will be drafted and we will be back on track.
Our mission is in redefining the broader national discourse and these small distractions will not deter YARD in carrying out its mandate. Small political fullstops such as sergeant Mhiripiri and Councillor Sibanda have felt the pressure, which will continue to come from the emerging force.
This is part of the struggle, we will continue challenging the flawed status quo, we shall continue to advocate for the people, we shall continue to serve our generation