By Kudakwashe Vhenge
The MDC Alliance national youth Assembly will today kick start a series of visits to the country’s prisons were some of theirparty members are serving jail time for various offenses with groceries in an initiative they have termed “Political Prisoners Christmas Cheer”.
The initiative will see the youth outfit also visiting families of those incarcerated as a way of showing solidarity with parents, children and guardians whose relatives are in detention for various political crimes.
Speaking to this publication, MDC Alliance National Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Chuma confirmed the development alluding to the notion that the initiative is in consistency with their political party’s ideology.
“We are a social democratic party whose ideological persuasion is anchored in solidarity justice and freedom. As such it is our culture as MDC to show solidarity with those persecuted for choosing freedom,” said Chuma.
The visit commencing today will see the Youth assembly visiting St Thomas Prison in Marondera, Hwahwa Prison in Gweru on 16 December, Harare Central and ChikurubiMaximum Prison on the 17th of December.
The prison visits will end up in Bulawayo at Khami Prison wereMDC latest inmates at the prison facility are their Bulawayo Youth Assembly leaders who were last month sentenced to seven years each and are serving their time at Khami Maximum Security Prison.
The four youth leaders namely Ngulube Josephat Mzaca, Thabisa Ngwenya Melusi Moyo and Otilia Ncube were pronounce judgment for allegedly burning three cars belonging to ZANU PF during this years’stay away protests in January .
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly President Obey Sitholebemoaned injustice emanating from the country’s judicial system and mentioned that the visits are an indication of love with those imprisoned especially in this festive season.
“The ruthless regime can take away our beloved ones from us but they surely can’t take our love for them. These visits are an indication that even the big prison walls are not a barrier to the big love that the entire MDC family subscribes to.
“We are aware that our comrades are being victimized for their political choices but we can’t allow their smiles to be stolen too this festive season,” said Sithole.
