SADC chairperson’s police attack defenceless youths
By Nelson Sibanda
Zimbabwean police on Wednesday brutally attacked jobless youths demanding jobs in Harare. Hundreds youths led by the MDC-T Youth Assembly, had gathered along Julius Nyerere Street to deliver a petition to Parliament demanding that Mugabe provide the promised 2.2 million jobs.
According to MDC-T Youth Assembly spokesperson, Clifford Hlatywayo, the attack left some 25 youths seriously injured with Eve Nyamadzawo, sustaining broken ribs and multiple head injuries.
Nyamadzawo is the MDC-T Youth Provincial Secretary for Constitutional Affairs.
The injured were referred to an undisclosed hospital for treatment while 19 others were detained by police.
Among the detained were Clifford Hlatywayo, MDC-T Mashonaland Central Provincial Youth chairperson, Tonderai Sanhu and the Harare and Mashonaland Central Provincial Youth chairpersons.
“It is shocking that in this era and age of democracy and constitutionalism, the illegitimate government of Zanu (PF) can descend heavily on unarmed peace loving youths, demanding jobs as provided for in the constitution,” said Hlatywayo in a statement.
Police reportedly teamed up with suspected Zanu (PF) militia to carry out the attack.
Hlatywayo said the Youth Assembly would not be intimidated or shaken by Mugabe’s brutality and would continue pushing for the government to fulfil its promises.
The youth, Hlatywayo said, were prepared for anything until ordinary Zimbabweans’ welfare is improved and the demanded jobs are delivered.
He said that the protests for jobs were not stoppable.
This is the third time in as many months that police have clashed with the ‘job activists’ along the streets of Harare.
In the run up to the disputed July 31, 2013 elections, Mugabe promised the nation 2.2 jobs within the first 100 days in office.
To date nothing has materialised and contrary to the promise, thousands of workers continue losing jobs as companies close every week. The Zimbabwean
