Patson Dzamara, brother to Itai who was abducted by suspected State agents in March 2015, has led the setting up of a fund to help jailed activists access bail and enjoy better conditions in remand.
Patson appealed to well-wishers to donate to the One Zimbabwe Fund that would be help human rights activists using peaceful means to protest against President Robert Mugabe.
Patson has been a guest of the police for pressuring the government to establish what happened to his brother who was taken away in broad daylight and his whereabouts remain unknown.
“I am making this appeal on behalf of One Zimbabwe, an organisation I was prompted to start after my ordeal at remand prison in June 2016,” said Patson.
He said his incarceration was prolonged because activists and sympathisers lacked coordination to help him out
We have set up a structure and system administered by professional and ethical individuals who are coordinating our activities,” added Patson.
He acknowledged incoming support from various quarters that has been used to help Linda Masarira, another activist who has stayed in prison for more than two months, and Itai’s family.
However, he said, there was need for “much more” to help the more than 60 activists currently in jail pending trial.
“Many hungry and angry Zimbabweans are being brutally attacked, beaten and arrested by anti-riot police and intelligence personnel daily as the paranoid government of Zimbabwe reacts to peaceful protests with violence,” said Patson.
He added: “As One Zimbabwe, we have been doing our best to attend to incarcerated comrades through help received from some of our supporters but we feel it’s now time to broaden our campaign.”
He said his outfit was in the process of consolidating its fundraising options and was targeting some $3,000 to cover the subsistence and welfare of jailed protesters for the next two months.
Well wishers, he said, can donate through GoMeFund (through https:/dm2.gofund.me/2nf8juc), Ecocash as well World Remit both of which can be accessed through +263774985217.