Zimbabwe Police Arrest National Healing Minister Over Gukurahundi Meeting
Moses Mzila-Ndlovu's arrest comes amid an escalating crackdown against MDC officials by the police
Sources say Ndlovu was arrested at a police road block around 7 a.m. Friday while on his way to Victoria Falls where he had been invited to make a presentation on his ministry’s healing process Zimbabwean police Friday arrested National Healing and Reconcilliation Co-Minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu and a Roman Catholic priest for addressing a memorial service for victims of the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland and Midlands regions. Reverand Marko Mkandla officiated at the service in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province. Sources said Mzila-Ndlovu, a member of the MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube, was arrested at a police road block early Friday while on his way to Victoria Falls where he had been invited to make a presentation on his ministry’s progress in the national healing process. A former freedom fighter, Mzila-Ndlovu is an outspoken critic of President Robert Mugabe and his Gukurahundi campaign in Matabeleland and Midlands in the eraly 1980s. More than 20 000 civillians died in the operation and government has never endorsed debate on the issue. Ncube MDC spokesman for Bulawayo, Edwin Ndlovu told VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that his party was not happy with Mzila-Ndlovu’s arrest, adding they were seriously considering boycotting this year’s independence celebrations to show their displeasure. Meanwhile, National Constitutional Assembly activist and co-ordinator for the platform for youth development, Claris Madhuku, who was arrested on Thursday for holding an illegal meeting with community leaders in Birchnough Bridge, was on Friday released on bail. Madhuku spent the night in custody and was asked by a magistrate to pay a $50 bail.