Zimbabweans don’t know any democracy

I AM very annoyed about the stonehearted Zanu-PF government’s lack of democracy – even the young generation in Zimbabwe don’t know what democracy is because they are not allowed to give their opinions and live in fear.

It is clear that the whole country cannot celebrate, mark, and honour or respect the International Day of Democracy without making reference to Zimbabwe’s situation.

How will they celebrate on top of wounds? The elections were rigged and unfair on July 18, 2018.

After the announcement on August 1, 2018 of the parliamentary election results in Zimbabwe, which saw Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu-PF winning a clear majority, opposition MDC Alliance supporters held a demonstration in and around Harare’s central business district, claiming the vote was rigged.

In response, the Zimbabwe Defence Force soldiers fired live ammunition at the protesters, killing six people. I feel bitter that opposition members were abducted and tortured on May last year (MP Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova), which makes it clear that there is no democracy in Zimbabwe. Arbitrary arrests do occur in Zimbabwe and there is no independent judiciary.

A stone-hearted judge unjustifiably denied bail for journalist Hopewell Chinono, held in custody for six weeks. The unjust persecution of Zimbabweans is yet another reminder of the multiple crises engulfing our nation. Zimbabweans will not celebrate International Day of Democracy.

KUDZAI CHIKOWORE | London, UK