The Movement for Democratic Change yesterday said the concern and grief that the world had shown for Cecil the lion that was killed by an American dentist last month should be transferred to activist Itai Dzamara who disappeared in March.
"We all love animals but it is our wish that the outpouring of concern and grief over Cecil the Lion be transferred to Itai, the person," MDC-T Vice-President Thokozani Khupe said at a prayer meeting for Dzamara in Chitungwiza.
Dzamara was allegedly abducted from a barbershop in March and has not been seen since.
The United States and the European Union have expressed concern over his disappearance which they said tarnishes Zimbabwe’s human rights record.
The killing of Cecil has sparked international outrage which saw at least three airlines banning the carrying of trophies on their planes and calls for Walter Palmer, the dentist who killed the lion, to be hanged.
Full statement:
Saturday, 15 August 2015
Zimbabweans converge for Dzamara prayer in Chitungwiza
Several political parties today joined the MDC and the Dzamara family at Huruyadzo shopping centre in Chitungwiza at a prayer meeting for the abducted activist, Itai Dzamara.
Speaking at the prayer meeting, Vice President Hon. Thokozani Khupe said the MDC was demanding that Dzamara be brought back to his family alive. She said that Zimbabweans owed it to no-one but to themselves to demand their own liberty and freedoms.
"We all love animals but it is our wish that the outpouring of concern and grief over Cecil the Lion be transferred to Itai , the person " she said.
The MDC Vice President said the evil done to Itai Dzamara return to the perpetrators ten-fold. She also said the party is deeply worried by the disappearance of Lancelot Masaraure, the Organiser for Zengeza East who has not been found since 2012.
Dzamara's friend, Job Sikhala, said petitions will be sent to SADC, the African Union and the United Nations over the Zimbabwe government that was complicit in the disappearance of Itai Dzamara.
The political and civil society leaders publicly read out the declaration demanding the safe return of Dzamara.
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