Matabeleland Secessionist political party Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) said that its activists were arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police on Friday in Bulawayo. It said the activists had thronged Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo to block what it calls the exportation of labour from Harare. In a statement on its Facebook page, MRP said:
Mthwakazi Republic Party activists have been arrested an hour ago by Bulawayo Police at Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo. The activists thronged the Hotel after getting information on the exportation of Labour from Harare for the renovation of the Hotel.
The exported labour came today, in two buses from Harare. It is so sad that companies continue to sideline the people of Bulawayo when it comes to employment but utilize them as consumers. Rainbow Hotel has started a war with the people of Bulawayo. We demand those buses and their occupants to go back to Harare right now and we vow that they will not operate in Bulawayo with a tribal and hegemonic system.
The arrested are Thembisani Mfulongashi Mpofu, Rodney Ncube, Sthe Nyoni, Marshal Sibanda, Elington Nkomo, Lucky Maphosa, Nkosinathi Ncube, Kilion Masuku, Mthabisi Tomas, Mqondisi Sibanda and Iphithule Malahleka.
Bulawayo people matter too. Rainbow Hotel owners will rather take their hotel and relocate it to Harare. We are prepared to fill the horrible prisons of this country to defend the future of the people of Matabeleland.
We urge all our people to come in full force and defend and support these brave men and women. Let’s us all inform the world of this abuse and economic genocide which is an extension of Gukurahundi.
We will keep you informed of the charge once pronounced by the police
Sisonke Sibambene Singu Mthwakazi Sizokulungisa,
For Peace and Justice in Our Lifetime
N Ngwenya
MRP Information and Publicity Department