By Staff Reporter
South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has expressed shock and dismay at the imprisonment of Zimbabwean political activist Jacob Ngarivhume.
Ngarivhume was last Friday convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for inciting public violence in July 2020 after calling for protests against corruption.
Posting on twitter, Malema referred the ruling by Harare Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka as a suppression of political dissent and an attack on the freedom of speech.
“Sending an activist to 4 years imprisonment for simply holding different political views is pathetic. Zimbabweans must learn to protect their own, particularly those who are the voice of the voiceless against the corrupt few. The truth will never be incarcerated; Africa we are one,” tweeted Malema
In response to Malema’s comments, Tafadzwa Mugwadi, the director of information for the ruling Zanu PF party, dismissed the statements and questioned his mental state suggesting that Malema’s judgment might be clouded due to some substance he consumes, implying that his opinions should not be taken seriously.
“No one knows what @Julius_S_Malema smokes & how high or low it takes him but what is clear is that what he smokes is not good for him,” Mugwadi remarked. “Jacob Ngarivhume was convicted for inciting violence. Mwonzora, Chamisa, Madhuku, etc., do not hold similar views with ZANU PF but they are not in jail,” Tweeted Mugwadi
However, critics argue that the charges against Ngarivhume and the imprisonment of political activists in are part of a broader pattern of stifling dissenting voices and suppressing opposition.
They claim that such actions undermine democracy and hinder the development of an inclusive and transparent political system.
