A
abujagirl
Guest
Ahead of tomorrow's election in Zimbabwe, three Zimbabwean exiles in South Africa chained themselves to a statue of Nelson Mandela, saying they wanted “freedom’’ for their homeland on the eve of elections there.
Nelson Mandela is anti-apartheid hero in South Africa and to some a global peace figure.
The protesters compared South Africa under Mandela with Zimbabwe, where 89-year-old President Robert Mugabe is seeking to extend his 33 years in power as Africa’s oldest leader in an election on Wednesday clouded by opposition allegations of intimidation and vote rigging.
“We are here to remind the world that Zimbabwe is not yet free,’’ said Butholezwe Nyathi, one of the trio who wrapped a thick silver chain around their necks at the base of the 2.7 million rand high bronze statue in Johannesburg’s Mandela Square.
Over the last 15 years,millions of Zimbabweans have fled political turmoil and economic crisis in their country .
“We are afraid that if the will of the people is subverted tomorrow, we will be stuck here forever,’’ said Nyathi.
According to him, he had lived in South Africa for nine years after fleeing as a refugee from his homeland where he had worked as a nurse.
The brief protest ended when security guards at the square in the sandton asked them to leave.
Last edited:
