South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly condemn the arrest of Zimbabwean opposition leader Tendai Biti in his home country.
Biti, who leads the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), was detained in Mutare over the weekend alongside fellow activist Morgan Ncube.
He has been campaigning against proposed constitutional amendments that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term from five to seven years.
DA Member of Parliament Ryan Smith warned that these developments point to a deepening democratic crisis in Zimbabwe. He said:
“We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Ronald Lamola to condemn Tendai Biti’s arrest and urgently engage with Zimbabwean authorities through diplomatic channels to reconsider this draconian legislative proposal.
“South Africa cannot continue to prop up its fraternity of leaders who continue to trample on democracy and the rights of citizens across the Southern African region.”
Smith added that this recent act of state repression follows a troubling pattern observed in countries such as Uganda and Tanzania, where opposition leaders have been arrested on spurious charges of treason in an effort to silence dissent and undermine democratic processes.
Biti and Ncube face charges under the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act for allegedly convening a public gathering without notifying the authorities.
Magistrate Honest Musiyiwa granted them release pending trial, on condition that each pays US$500 bail, continues residing at their registered addresses, and reports fortnightly to their respective local police stations.
More: EWN
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