British actress Newton calls for solidarity with Mamombe
Thandiwe Newton and Joanah Mamombe
British actress Thandiwe Newton, has thrown her weight behind the persecuted MDC Alliance MP Joanah Mamombe by calling upon international solidarity with the youth leader through the #MercyforMamombe hashtag campaign.
The campaign is a response to the forced midnight removal from hospital by prison officials of the incarcerated legislator. Her ‘I’m in pain.’ screams did not deter the officials from unplugging drips from Mamombe before dumping her at a Harare Maximum Prison.
The “Mission Impossible” actress whose mother Nyasha is Zimbabwean, recently reclaimed her full name from Thandie to Thandiwe and has been vocal on human rights issues in Zimbabwe through her twitter handle.
She posted a picture of herself holding a placard written, #MercyForMamombe with the caption, “Please show your support for the victims of human rights atrocities in Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans need DIALOGUE not VIOLENCE. If you feel the same please sharpie up and Selfie #MercyForMamombe #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.
Journalist Violet Gonda who was banned from entering the country for almost two decades by former President Robert Mugabe cemented Newton’s argument with a direct response to her tweet saying, “In the 21st Century, when most nations are focusing on development, Zimbabwe is still in the savage era @JoanaMamombe’s case has come to define the extremities of cruelty.”
Retweeting a video of Mamombe being forced out of hospital by prison officials, Newton said: “What is this? @JoanaMamombe terrorized yet again. Let the woman get the medical treatment she needs #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”
Mamombe was arrested together with fellow youth activist Cecilia Chimbiri on charges of contravening section 177 of the criminal code that is undermining the authority of the police after they allegedly obstructed police officers from performing their national lockdown duties.
The duo has denied the charges. They have been denied bail three times and are currently held in custody awaiting trial scheduled for the 5th of May 2021.
—Nehanda Radio
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