FALSE ARREST OF MP SHOCKS ZIMBABWE
In Zimbabwe, a big problem has come up in football. Gift Ostallos Siziba, an opposition MP for CCC in Tshabalala-Pelandaba, Bulawayo, was arrested by the police. They said he incited public violence during a football match between Highlanders and Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium. But now, it looks like he was falsely accused. This makes people question how reliable the information was and why decisions were made so quickly.
The incident happened on 10th September during a match between two big football teams, Highlanders and Dynamos. Siziba, who is a Highlanders fan, posted a picture of himself with the caption, “We fear fokol!” This seemed harmless but led to his arrest because the authorities thought it caused the violence at the match.However, the police missed an important fact: the photo was taken on 20th May 2023 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, not on the match day in September. This fact, supported by evidence, shows Siziba’s actions cannot be connected to the violence on that day. It should not be used as evidence against him.
The match on 10th September became chaotic after Dynamos took a 2-0 lead. This chaos led to the arrest of 19 people involved in the crowd trouble. But it is important to tell the difference between real law enforcement and false accusations.There is also a worry that some people might use such incidents for political reasons. Some say political activists are trying to use the situation to push their agendas. It is important to keep justice fair and not target people for political reasons.
This is not the first time someone from the CCC party has faced false charges. Another CCC MP, Maureen Kademaunga, was also falsely accused of property damage and attempted murder. She was released, but these cases show why we need careful and fair investigations.In a democracy, everyone’s rights and freedoms must be protected, no matter their political beliefs. Rushed and false accusations can destroy public trust and create fear.
As Gift Ostallos Siziba tries to clear his name, this case reminds us that justice must be fair. Wrongly accusing people based on bad information can have serious consequences, not just for those accused but for the whole country’s trust in the legal system.The arrest of Gift Ostallos Siziba shows how important it is to check facts carefully and investigate fairly. Zimbabwe must protect everyone’s rights and uphold the law, even in tough times. Only by doing this can the country move towards a fairer and just future.
