WASHINGTON DC —
The Youth League of the Movement for Democratic Change formation of former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has urged what it calls all progressive forces to convene at Harare Rotten Row Court on Thursday to give moral support to deputy national chairman Morgen Komichi, who is facing charges of fraud and contravening Zimbabwe’s electoral laws.
In a statement, the Youth League said Komichi is being tormented by the ruling party even if he is not yet found guilty.
"Senator Komichi is innocent until proven guilty by a credible court of law. The Youth Assembly condemns the continued harassment of our leader as just an act of desperation meant to cover for ZEC’s failure to fulfill its mandate," read part of the statement.
It further said, "Senator Komichi was just acting in his legal capacity as the chief election agent of president Morgan Tsvangirai. It boggles the mind why someone raising electoral complains through the correct channels is then prosecuted instead of the Electoral Board investigating the irregularities.
"ZEC clearly failed to preside over elections starting with the failure to conduct special voting in the stipulated time and Sen. Komichi is now being used as sacrificial lamp."
Harare magistrate Tendai Mabwe is expected to give his ruling on the case Thursday after the state closed its case last week.
Komichi allegedly recovered some ballot papers in July this year at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Election Command Center in Harare which he handed over to the relevant authorities, leading to his arrest.
In a statement, the Youth League said Komichi is being tormented by the ruling party even if he is not yet found guilty.
"Senator Komichi is innocent until proven guilty by a credible court of law. The Youth Assembly condemns the continued harassment of our leader as just an act of desperation meant to cover for ZEC’s failure to fulfill its mandate," read part of the statement.
It further said, "Senator Komichi was just acting in his legal capacity as the chief election agent of president Morgan Tsvangirai. It boggles the mind why someone raising electoral complains through the correct channels is then prosecuted instead of the Electoral Board investigating the irregularities.
"ZEC clearly failed to preside over elections starting with the failure to conduct special voting in the stipulated time and Sen. Komichi is now being used as sacrificial lamp."
Harare magistrate Tendai Mabwe is expected to give his ruling on the case Thursday after the state closed its case last week.
Komichi allegedly recovered some ballot papers in July this year at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Election Command Center in Harare which he handed over to the relevant authorities, leading to his arrest.