Independence Day a “farce”: Coltart

New Zimbabwe.com

18 April 2011

INDEPENDENCE Day celebrations in the midst of a crackdown on President Robert Mugabe’s opponents are a “farce”, Education Minister David Coltart said on Sunday.

Coltart spoke after National Healing Minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu spent the weekend in jail, charged with undermining the authority of the police.

Mzila-Ndlovu was arrested along with a Roman Catholic Church priest after they officiated at a memorial service for victims of the 1980s genocide in Matabeleland and the Midlands.

It is believed 20,000 people were killed in the crackdown by an especially-trained army unit sent to the region ostensibly to put down an armed insurrection by supporters of the late nationalist leader, Joshua Nkomo. Rights groups say the soldiers targeted civilians.

Coltart, a member of the MDC party led by Welshman Ncube, signalled he will not be attending the Independence Day celebrations on Monday in protest.

“I am outraged by the detention this weekend of my friend and ministerial colleague Moses Mzila Ndlovu. Makes Independence Day a farce,” Coltart said on Twitter.

Mzila-Ndlovu and Father Marko Mnkandla are accused of addressing a public meeting without police authority. Additionally, prosecutors say they are charging the priest with possession of pornography.

Meanwhile, the opposition ZAPU, in an Independence Day message, accused Zanu PF of “using their 30 years in power to destroy all the hopes the people had when our nation became independent.”

“It has been a 31 years of controlling power, 31 years of ever declining employment, 31 years of worsening poverty, 31 years of virtually no development for most areas, 31 years of hunger, 31 years of homelessness, 31 years of fear, 31 years of no freedom of speech, 31 years of no freedom of assembly. The list of human rights violations is endless,” said spokesman, Methuseli Moyo.