via Jailed MDC-T activist dies after two years in prison | SW Radio Africa Tererai Karimakwenda SW Radio Africa
An activist from the MDC-T, accused in the case of a murdered policeman in 2011, has died at Parirenyatwa Hospital following a two-year spell in jail.
Clifford Hlatywayo, national spokesman for MDC-T Youth Assembly, told SW Radio Africa that Rebecca Mafukeni passed away Monday morning after a short illness. She had been hospitalized two weeks ago.
Hlatywayo said the MDC-T legal team had approached the courts seeking to have her transferred to a private hospital for better treatment, but this request had been denied. State run hospitals like Parirenyatwa are notorious for lacking basic medical drugs and are poorly equipped.
Mafukeni, who served as the party’s deputy organizing secretary for youth in Harare province, was arrested along with 29 other activists from Glen View following the murder of policeman Petros Mutedza in May 2011at a local pub.
The police rounded up MDC-T activists at random at the time, claiming they were investigating the fatal incident. But the MDC-T activists deny the charges and insist they were targeted by ZANU PF in efforts to disrupt their structures.
“They are systematically eliminating progressive voices fighting for the emancipation of ordinary Zimbabweans. People are sad and as you know the election was rigged. Our hope has been stolen by ZANU PF and today we lost one of our own, one of our sisters,” Hlatywayo explained.
He added that there were still some party activists in jail and others out on bail as this drawn out murder case continues.
21 of the accused MDC-T activists were granted bail in December, 2012. Five were still in detention including Last Maengahama, Tungamirai Madozkere, Yvonne Musarurwa, Simon Mapanzure and the now late Rebecca Mafukeni.
Tarirai Kusotera and Jackson Mabota, arrested later in 2012 and charged separately for the same murder case, were held in detention for a month before being released on bail. Their case still drags on.
COMMENTS
may her soul rest in peace.
Me my self i wont go bck hme till de knew govement rulle tht country, i luv my country bt i hate th situation.
Mhondi, Thieves and thugs. It’s all their fault, all because she was a member of the oposition. Nguva yenyu iri kukwana. Munoenda nepi even when u die twumapfupa twenyu mujeri.
Tired of a repressive regime.
The death in detention of Rebecca is like a knife in our hearts. We MUST have a fair and impartial judicial system in our country. Rest in Peace Rebecca and may God comfort your family and friends.
The death of this puppet activist and alleged murderer won’t bring any sympathy to the remaining jailed puppets. she must be given her judgement post posthumously. That will be justice at its best.
May her soul rest in peace and her family be consoled. BUT why has she been in detention for so long?? Why did state deny her better medical attention?? Countrymen, it seems it is difficult to avoid death under ZANU(PF)!
Zorora murugare hanzvadzi mwari ndivo chete nho- o yedu. Ndikoka kutonga kwejekerere kauku kwekuuraya chiri muhunza. Hitler yave nhoroondo, Saddam yave ngano, baba vepfuti yendarama imwe yengano dzinonakidza. Vasekuru nevamwe vavo ichava ngano zvekare.
Mhuka inonzi Reason and Bob are a creation of the devil.To comrade Rebecca i say to you my sister go thee well your blood will nourish the struggle of democracy.R.I.P soldier.With your spirit i know kuti “Takanaka.”
RIP comrade the struggle continues , Zimbabwe will be free soon
Never think that any killing is good even the murdering of the police officer on duty is the waste tragedies that any partisan political notoriety is exceptional. What comes around goes around and also the sowing and reaping principle is always experienced. Its sad that our sister’s life ended this way and we should never blame anyone for her life because she died serving her due misnomer. May her soul rest in peace.