Fitness trainer goes on anti-Mugabe hunger strike in Harare
By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
A 39-year-old fitness trainer from Harare, Edson Munatsi, has abandoned the gym to go on hunger strike until President Robert Mugabe, 92, leaves office.
According to local independent reports, Munatsi commenced the hunger strike on Monday in First Street.
“I will be here (in the street) until they (Zanu PF) come to take my corpse away if they do not heed the people’s calls,” Munatsi told the daily NewsDay title.
“Whatever is happening in Zimbabwe right now has to stop. We say no to corruption, police brutality, unemployment and a decaying economy.
“Lives for three to four generations have been ruined by Zanu PF officials who are concerned only about their lives.It’s three days now. I have lost some weight, but I have the strength to go on,” added the fitness trainer.
He said he completed his education in 1997 but has been struggling to find a job, at one time living as an economic refugee in Botswana.
“The greatest sacrifice a man can make is to sacrifice his own life. I have declared myself homeless, surviving only on water or I will starve myself to death until President Robert Mugabe gives me an audience and stops ignoring his people,” he said.
“Great men once said true courage is the ability to do what is right even in the presence of fear. Fear will not force me to back down. Numerous activists have disappeared and more are going to be abused by the system, but that will not deter me. I will die, yes, but my ideas will not die. People want change, they are struggling,” added Munatsi.
Mugabe faces increasing pressure to leave office from within the ruling Zanu PF and outside, as citizens take to streets protests to voice their growing frustration with his government that is presiding over an economy facing collapse. Nehanda Radio
