HARARE – Outspoken South African opposition leader Julius Malema has slammed the Zimbabwean government for jailing Jacob Ngarivhume over a 2020 tweet in which the opposition leader was calling for peaceful protests against high level corruption under the Zanu PF led administration.
Ngarivhume was last Friday sentenced to four years imprisonment by Harare magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka who found him guilty of inciting violence against government.
He will serve an effective three years in jail after he was denied the option of a fine.
In a social media comment, Malema expressed shock over the opposition leader’s controversial incarceration.
“I was shocked to hear that a Zimbabwean Government has jailed Jacob Ngarivhume for demanding accountability through picket lines on how Covid-19 funds were used in 2020 by kleptocratic politicians.
“Sending an activist to 4 years imprisonment for simply holding different political views is pathetic.
“Zimbabweans must learn to protect their own, particularly those who are the voice of the voiceless against the corrupt few. The truth will never be incarcerated; Africa we are one.”
In the July 2020 video footage used as the basis of his conviction, Ngarivhume appeals for non-violent demonstrations over the Zanu PF led government mismanagement of Covid-19 funds.
Ngarivhume is set to appeal both sentence and conviction through the High Court.
The Transform Zimbabwe leader penned a letter from prison saying his incarceration by the Zanu PF led authority will stop the rest from demanding a corruption free society.
“My imprisonment by the (Zanu PF) regime should never discourage many other gallant fighters out there. Rather it should embolden you.
“This is a just fight. It must continue. A call for a corruption free society must continue. We a call for a Zimbabwe that respects the rights of citizens,” he said.
