By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
A new outfit comprising unemployed youths has rapped government for imposing a protest ban in Harare and vowed to continue with demonstrations against the Zanu PF government.
The organisation, Unemployed Youths Organisation (UYO), condemned government for trampling on citizens’ rights and its inability to arrest the current economic crisis.
“We would want to set the record straight (that) we are not stopping fighting for our future until our expectations are met.
“As long as there are continued violations of human rights, unemployment, poverty and political maladministration, we are not retiring,” said the UYO chairperson, Ishmael Kauzani.
He said youths would not fold their hands, despite threats from government, which has banned demonstrations in Harare for two weeks.
“As the youths of this country, we feel we cannot be more patriotic than to fight for our future now, the same spirit that was there during the liberation struggle, where the youths had to defy all obstacles confronting them and fight for their future.
“In the same spirit, we are not going to fold our hands…It is our belief that the right to demonstrate and petition is a constitutional right that must be protected and upheld,” added Kauzani.
Government last week issued Statutory Instrument 101A banning demonstrations in Harare till 16 September, while Mugabe at the weekend cautioned the judiciary against clearing applications to carry out demonstrations.
“Any statutory instrument or an amendment to the constitution can only be justifiably done in the light of the general good of every citizen.
“In this case, it is clear that the ban on demonstrations is meant (to suppress) the citizens and is therefore to us…gross violation of fundamental human rights,” he added.
The UYO leader accused the Mugabe establishment of protecting its own interests at the expense of the people. Nehanda Radio
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