Zimbabwean Flag Burnt In South Africa.

 

 

More than 500 Zimbabwean exiles from

Matebeleland province took part in a controversial march for freedom
organised by the militant and secessionist Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF)
whose campaigns for a separate state have led to the arrest of the
movement's senior leaders in Bulawayo.

The march which was closely monitored by police attracted scores of South
Africans sympathetic to the plight of the people of Matebeleland. During the
march a Zimbabwean flag was burnt to ashes by the protesters saying it was a
symbol of oppression and discrimination against ethnic groups in
Matabeleland province.

“ Our march was very successful and attracted many South Africans who are
sympathetic to our cause, ” said MLF spokesman Sabelo Mavikinduku Ngwenya, a
lawyer by profession.The toyi-toying  protesters  singing struggle songs
brought business to a standstill along Sauer and Bree Streets.

The organisers of the march also sent a delegation to the Zimbabwe Embassy
in Pretoria to deliver the group,s document outlining how the state of
Mthwakazi would be created and which districts in Zimbabwe would be part of
that country.The delegation has been instructed to deliver the document
directly to Ambassador Phelekezela Mphoko, a struggle hero and Mugabe
loyalist.Mphoko also comes from Matabeleland province but has openly opposed
those campaigning for secession.

Officials at the embassy in Pretoria said they did not receive any document
from MLF.President Robert Mugabe is on record as saying Zimbabwe will never
be divided into two ethnic based states.But secessionists in Matabeleland
say the people of the region have suffered enough marginalisation and
discrimination under Zimbabwe,s unitary system.MLF leaders who include Paul
Siwela, John Gazi and Charles Thomas are currently facing charges related to
treason.If they go for trial and are convicted, they could face death
sentence.

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