Pictures: MDC-T youth leader Madzore released
By Staff Reporter
MDC-T Youth Assembly leader Solomon Madzore was finally released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after spending 14 months in custody over dubious charges that he took part in the murder of policeman Petros Mutedza.
Hundreds of MDC-T party youths brought Harare to a standstill as they gave Madzore a hero’s welcome, waving the open palm, singing, whistling and dancing. A convoy of cars lined up the city streets in celebration.
Flanked by former fellow inmate Lovemore Taruvinga Magaya, the rest of the Youth Assembly leadership, national organising secretary, Nelson Chamisa and spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora among other leaders, Madzore said his time in jail had given him an opportunity to reflect on a new Zimbabwe.
He said Zimbabweans should remain committed to change and fight for what they believed in. Madzore deplored the state of prisons in Zimbabwe and said he would work hard to campaign for improvements.
The youth leader said the real battle was to remove President Mugabe from power. Madzore said Morgan Tsvangirai remains the only one capable of unseating Mugabe and youths would back him all the way.
After several delaying tactics including faking illness, High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu was finally forced to grant granted a $500 bail to Madzore after 414 days in remand prison. The case against Madzore remains very weak.
During cross examination, a police officer admitted that Madzore’s alibi had been corroborated by a doctor and therefore authentic. The MDC-T feels this should have paved the way for his release and dropping of the charges.
