World's youngest 'terrorist' awarded

Three-year old Nigel Mutemagawo was awarded the Democracy and Governance award by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition at a colourful ceremony held in Harare on Friday.

Nigel was abducted in Banket, last year together with his parents. His parents are MDC Zvimba South district officials.

He spent 72 days at Chikurubi Maximum Prison as his parents and over 20 MDC and civil society activists were illegally arrested, detained and tortured on trumped-up charges of banditry and terrorism.

The event on Friday was meant to award people who have contributed to the fight for democracy in Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the occasion, the guest of honour, Harare West MP and deputy Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Jessie Majome said nearly three decades after independence; Zimbabweans were still fighting for the restoration of dignity, security, hope, democracy and freedom.

She said all perpetrators of human rights abuses should be brought to book so that justice prevails in society.

“I want to congratulate all of you, esteemed agents for a better Zimbabwe for heaving and pushing until the fortress of oppression and human rights, has given way. In your individual and collective capacities, you have contributed to the rolling back of a despotic and totalitarian regime. You have also seen this and continue advancing inside the fortress walls, to do away with the despotic totalitarian rule”.

Crisis Coalition outgoing chairperson, Irene Petras, said her organisation had decided to have these awards as a way of celebrating democratic heroes.

“There are a number of organisations that get international recognition but are not recognised here at home so as a coalition we decided to honour our own heroes by having this Democracy and Governance award”

Also present at the awards was, Eleanor Sisulu from Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, South African office, Woza chairperson, Jenni Williams, and Jonah Gokova, the incoming chairperson for Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.

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