HARARE - Co-Home Affairs minister Theresa Makone says selective application of the law is still rampant, four years after the formation of a coalition government that promised reforms.

Makone said this while addressing MDC supporters at her homestead in Goromonzi West Constituency during a reception for 29 MDC activists who are facing charges of killing a police officer in 2011.

She compared the continued stay in prison of some MDC activists to six Zanu PF supporters accused of murdering an MDC official in Mutoko last May but were released on bail.

“The Zanu PF supporters who killed Cephas Magura in Mutoko were given bail without staying more than six months in cells.

“They shall go to trial under a different government. There is a lot of impunity happening, look at what happened to Matabeleland massacres, no one has been arrested to date.

“Now we have an increase in cases of our members and civic society members being harassed and arrested. We want justice in these matters and everyone to be treated equally,” said Makone.

Makone warned MDC supporters to brace for more police arrests and persecution as the country prepares for a watershed poll to be held this year.

“If you are going to court to face murder charges say the truth and justice will prevail.

“As MDC we are ready for elections anytime and we know that many of our supporters are going to be arrested but be ready for prison because it’s part of the democratisation process,” said Makone.

“The road to a new Zimbabwe is by going through Chikurubi prison. All Zanu PF leaders were at one time in their political lives detained by the Ian Smith regime and spent a long time in prison. You must do the same,” said Makone, who is also MDC Women Assembly chairperson.

MDC youth leader Solomon Madzore led the activists in thanking the Makone family in the support they had received during their 18 months stay in remand prison.

Some, such as Yvonne Musarurwa, Tungamirai Madzokere, and Last Maengahama remain in remand prison.

Makone said Zanu PF activists accused of murdering Magura, an MDC official Mudzi in May last year were hastily released on bail.

The Zanu PF activists Graciano Kazingizi, Biggie Office, Raphael Bobo, Perkins Karikoga and Phillip Katsande, including a councillor for the area, David Chimukoko were granted $100 bail on October 19 after five months in remand prison.

One of them, Eric Chatiza, died while in custody in July.