Mthwakazi activists arrested

Two Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) activists were arrested on the 22nd of December at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport after they were found in possession of material inscribed with alleged “sensitive” information.
The pair, Prudence Moyo and Albert Gumede had gone to the JMNI Airport for the commissioning of the new airport terminal building by President Robert Mugabe, in honour of the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.
Police officers who searched their vehicle at the entrance of the airport premises discovered a banner and 17  white T-Shirts inscribed with different messages, which the police said were sensitive.
The pair where arrested and spent the night at the Bulawayo Central Police Station and were charged with criminal nuisance.
They were released on Monday (today) morning after paying admission of guilt fines.
The banner had the picture of the late former South African President Nelson Mandela and had the words, Thina abaka Mzilikazi, uMthwakazi sikhala kunye nani and the world. Abaka Mthwakazi abaka khululeki singaphansi kwencindesi (We the people of Mzilikazi, of the Mthwakazi nation mourn with you and the rest of the world. Mthwakazi people are not yet free, we are still under oppression), inscribed on it.
The white T-Shirts had a picture of Mandela and Nkomo shaking hands on the front with the words, Commanders of Mkhonto weSizwe and ZAPU, written on them.
At the back it was written, You both fought white and black domination, may your spirits join us in our struggle,  Vuka Mthwakazi.
The banner and T-Shirts were confiscated by the police.
Dumisani Dube a lawyer with Mabhikwa, Hikwa and Nyathi law firm who represented the pair together with Kholwani Ngwenya, confirmed the arrests in an interview with Radio Dialogue.
“The pair had gone to the official opening of the Joshua Nkomo airport. Gumede was driving a vehicle which had a banner with a picture of Joshua Nkomo and Nelson Mandela inscribed with words which the police found offensive.
“Initially the police told them that their vehicle had caught fire, when they came out they were immediately arrested. They were detained overnight and charged with criminal nuisance,” said Dube.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bhekimpilo Ndlovu was not immediately available for a comment.
Mthwakazi Liberation Front is a political party advocating for the secession of Matabeleland from the rest of the country