Zimbabwe: Press Statement on Public Protests and Police Conduct (29.08.2016)

anti-mugabe-protests-in-zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) is cognisant of the demonstrations, protests and ongoing unrest in the country. As a country, Zimbabwe is founded on the principles of the supremacy of the Constitution, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and recognition of the inherent dignity and worth of each human being. The Constitution guarantees under section 59 that every person has the right to demonstrate and to present petitions, but these rights must be exercised peacefully, and the demonstrators should not seek to harm anyone or destroy or loot property.
In terms of section 219 of the Constitution, the Police have a duty to protect and secure the lives and property of the people, uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and enforce the law without fear or favour. It is noted with regret that the police did violate the fundamental rights of the people as evidenced by the facts gathered on the ground. Security concerns should not be used as an excuse to harass demonstrators or non-demonstrators, which undermines the fundamental principles granted by our Constitution and international law. Citizens should enjoy police protection and not brutality. Police have a duty to facilitate the conduct of undisturbed peaceful demonstrations and petitions. The ZHRC is, therefore, extremely concerned about the recent violent conduct of the ZRP.

The ZHRC has received complaints on allegations of Police brutality and our ongoing investigations have revealed unbecoming and violent conduct on the part of the Police. This has led to unfortunate physical and emotional injuries to some innocent persons including minors. This is regrettable and we call upon the authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of such human rights violations are prosecuted. To that end the ZHRC encourages members of the public who may have suffered human rights violations to come forward and lodge formal complaints with the Commission.
The ZHRC is also concerned by the indiscriminate teargassing of centers occupied by people some of whom may not be involved in the demonstration. This should stop and we call for due diligence and care to ensure that the rights and freedoms of innocent citizens are respected and protected.
The ZHRC abhors violence in any form. The Commission, therefore, calls upon all citizens who decide to demonstrate to do so within the confines of the law and never with violence. As Zimbabweans, we all have rights and duties that we need to exercise peacefully at all times.
In the case of violent protests or demonstrations, the right to personal liberty, rights of arrested and detained persons and freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, right to a fair trial and rights of accused persons should be upheld at all times.
The ZHRC calls for an immediate end to violence, threats and intimidation by all perpetrators. We urge all Zimbabweans to exercise restraint and self-control and to remain calm. We urge the ZRP and respective arms of the Executive to ensure that citizens are permitted to demonstrate peacefully and utilise constructive dialogue to address genuine concerns.

31 August Nationwide | #ShutDownZimbabwe (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN2B2GlEBUQ

Opinion: The Zanu-PF is acting totally lost these days…

santions Mugabe

The truth is in the actions of any ruling regime. The reality of their actions speaks of how they respect their citizens and the government institutions. After yesterday the legacy of the former political party who liberated the nation is now totally lost.

The President and the Executive has been lost for a long time. He just hasn’t known it himself. He is like a bulldog trying out every move and shouting at every by passer. Even when he is old and whiny he still continues and brawls with every candidate that trespasses his gate.

The dire state is not just the economy, but the fragile state between the population, the lengthy disregard of the civil servants and the public officials. As you have VP who uses government funds on eating lavishly on a hotel instead of accountable actions. As well, you have government officials praising the executive and saying his rule is biblical. While the public who demonstrate against him is evil; the Police answer with tear-gas and violence. Not contempt of public voices of discontent. The allowed demonstrations are the ones connected to Zanu-PF, the Youth burning the flag and destroying the MDC-T offices in Harare.

The double standard as the Zanu-PF elite eats and get fat, while the drought of funds and import of needed equipment happens. The debt and sanctions together with the drop of trust between international community and the Zimbabwean government; the Zanu-PF government who could just been run by Ian Smith, they did the say reasoning against the citizens, only they we’re liberators who we’re detained. Now it is citizens and human rights activist who are detained.

Every time some demonstrations happens it is supported by the West and the Westerners fault. Not that it’s the men who has made the situation dire, the men behind police officers and army who detains without impunity or the men who thief the government funds. No, it is the British, the French or lucky the American. It cannot be Mugabe and Gucci Mugabe, no it is somebody else. Just waiting for Acie Lumumba to proclaim his passion for development and say that he still has faith in Zanu-PF without consideration to the draconian state that is just right there.

#ThisFlag Values 2016

#ThisFlag is a loose movement and with inspiring leaders who just shows they heart and wish to garn change and possible leadership who cares about the citizens and not the newest Mercedes SUV. That is the capacity of governance right now. The Government tried to put extra tax on the imported goods as a special VAT as the sanctioned imports where less and less become of the weak economy and value of the currency. Even the issues with downgraded levels of US Dollars lead to ATMs pouring out South African Rand that even marginalized more people. This proves the little value of the citizens.

The lack of on-time pay for soldiers, nurses, teachers and civil servants prove the disgruntled forces while the Zanu-PF continues to live like kings and queens. The people are even tagging the streets named after Robert Mugabe and also taking down the signs with his name. As they demonstrate and are brutally shut down. Today, the court of Harare are even working on fencing the area as another protester are awaiting trail tomorrow and the Government have no other outcome than shutting down. They do not want to see the public garn around the Court in massive numbers as last time when they had to release Pastor Evan Mawarire, he is the one man who opposed and showed them how to peacefully question the Zanu-PF rule without fear of losing his position and freedom.

Now that is up and concerned citizens watch, as the turns and extensive nature of ZANU-PF continues. As their Youth League are acting as hooligans without any repercussion from the Police, while the peaceful demonstrators from public disregard of Zanu-PF violently get silenced. The proof of the fall of grace, the lost nature of the ones respected party. The one party and the one leader who has gone from being the hope and liberator; and with time he has turned himself from liberator to villain of decades of decadence and wealth forgot why he was in bush. Mugabe has lost his ways in wealth and riches! While his people are asking for handouts and can’t even get justice.

President Mugabe HBD Harare Herald

Because of the Social Media uprising of late the Zimbabwean Parliament even have scheduled a new Cyber Crime law able to make prosecutions of people who starting demonstrations and questioning the Zanu-PF online. The #ThisFlag #Tajamuka #NoBondnotes and so on are just honest citizens tired of being used by ruling regime for donor aid and bargain-chips for funds to develop the nation. They want hope and future where all citizens can be involved and have the sense of making their life and work without fear of the police or the ruling regime silencing them with violence or oppressive behaviour while they ride in luxurious cars and have mansions in Harare. While the average man and woman are struggling to get ends to meet. That is not a just society and the Zanu-PF should know it as the fellow loyalist have taken land, businesses and imports for themselves. There is a fatigue of justice between the population and the Zanu-PF elite. That is why the demonstrations are happen so frequent and why the Zanu-PF elite and the Executive is LOST.

The Robert Mugabe of the Past, the man who conquered the Ian Smith Regime and European sponsored dictatorship from the United Kingdom. Now it is sponsored dictatorship under Robert Mugabe. Peace.   

MDC-T Youth Statement on Intimidation from Zanu-PF (28.08.2016)

Zim 27.08.2016
We have learnt without shock that ZANU PF through its monstrous mouthpiece ZTV that the regime Is embarking on a massive raid of our members in response to the demonstrations that are taking place in Harare and which are spreading to all parts of the country next week. We wish to point out at this stage we fear nothing and we will not budge in our quest to remove Robert Mugabe from office through our peaceful protests.we have since intercepted intelligence files on the attack to be led by known ZANU PF ministers and MP’s.
 
We are warning these bloody thirsty individuals to back as we are not going to watch massacre us.The violence of 2008 will never happen again ,we will not fold our hands this time.We are pressing ahead with our # My Zimbabwe campaign to liberate this country.No amount of repression will stop this idea whose time has come.The only sensible thing to happen now is for Robert Mugabe to resign early and avoid unnecessary damage to this country.We will not be cowed ,we hereby urge out membership to remain vigilant and continue to participate in all protests being called by different progressive forces in this country. it’s now or Never .
#MYZIMBABWE .
 
For And On Behalf Of The Youth Assembly. 
Lovemore Chinoputsa

Violence proves no one in Zanu PF is fit to lead the Zimbabwe we must build | Build Zimbabwe (Youtube-Clip)

“The strategy of our government is clear for anyone who chooses to see: It is to frustrate the people until some of them commit acts of violence, which then justifies the government’s own violent response.  This is calculated to force those who have been calling for non-violent protests, specifically the church leaders, to denounce the activists who are demanding change but who the government portrays as violent inciters. We cannot allow this government to attempt to reclaim the moral ground to rule it has lost by pointing accusatory fingers at people who simply want to be heard and to exercise their full constitutional rights as citizens.  We want change in Zimbabwe and we want it now. To want it for future generations merely prolongs ours suffering and that of our children. We want it for ourselves today so that we can get on with the business of building the kind of country we want for our children’s children. It is our right to demand that. This is Dr. Noah Manyika from Build Zimbabwe saying: Is there not a cause? #BuildZimbabwe” (Build Zimbabwe, 2016)

WATCH: Police break up NERAdemo in Harare, Zimbabwe (Youtube-Clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39QraISNfrA

WATCH: chaos in HARARE as police provoke Zimbabweans to loot shops and burn cars (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjNkrzYTHDo

“In what has been seen as an attempt to forestall Friday’s multi-party mega demonstration, police in Harare on Wednesday descended on MDC-T youths who were marching in the city centre, resulting in chaos as police fired teargas and randomly truncheoned members of the public, leaving many shops closed and city centre deserted. In the ensuing melee, angry protesters retaliated against the police brutality…” (African Yellow, 2016)

WATCH: Zimbabwe police fire tear gas, gunshots to quell HARARE protests (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BOapu9wogE

“Zimbabwe police have fired tear gas, water cannons and gunshots to stop hundreds of youths protesting against police brutality in the capital, Harare. Police and protesters fought running battles downtown Wednesday. Police fired water cannons and gunshots into the air after some protesters attacked a supermarket owned by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko. Protesters also set on fire a vehicle belonging to state-run broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. A journalist was among those beaten by police. The main opposition MDC-T party’s youth wing organized the protest to denounce what they described as worsening police brutality against political and civil rights activists. Police were deployed heavily outside Parliament and on the main streets in late afternoon, forcing shop owners to abandon their business…” (Africa Junkies, 2016)

Zvorwadza | I have been tortured many times by the police but this brutality won’t stop me (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKpfrMajtZI

Opinion: A little rant to the long serving Presidents out there; I had too after the NBS TV Uganda 100 days since M7 stole the Election BS recently…

M7 100 Days

With the NBS TV Uganda who wanted to ask President Museveni how he felt after his first 100 days into his 5th official term… how he felt of his achievements as Executive after a hundred days we’re the journalist questions to the man who have ruled since 1986. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has run the Ugandan Republic for over 10950 days! So the question was blurred out and surely lost sight of the reality of their long serving Executive.

The same can be said with President Robert Mugabe who is heated and demonstrated against in Zimbabwe. In a country with fiscal economic issues and loss of agricultural output together with weaken production as the El Nino has hurt the economy more. Together with rampant corruption and a Zanu-PF Elite who are more concern with their luxurious vehicles in Harare than the empty stomachs of the poor working class. This happens while the Police are brutalizing the demonstrators and the ones speaking against the government are either harassed or detained. Even hurt so they end up at the Hospital. So the dire oblivion for the economic landscape as the tension between the citizens and draconian state will not dissolve overnight.

Hon. Kemi Adeosun said this on the 18th August: “The Economy is challenged and people are extremely frustrated, and we need to rebuild fundamentality. We need to prioritize… We need to realize that with the collapse of commodity prices. We don’t have enough  foreign exchange to buy as many imported goods as we like to, so when there is import substitution, we must embrace it”.

Zim Ministry of Information

When the Financial Minister says this as the Opposition are harassed and the public is silence and more draconian laws like Cyber Crime laws coming in Parliament. Show’s the ability of Zimbabwean regime wishes to push laws to silence social media and other dissidents as the policies and the regulations of Zanu-PF haven’t born fruits. This has to be hurtful for the President who has had years upon years to build, instead has skimmed money for himself and his elite.

Therefore with the knowledge of President Museveni (Sudan), President Deby (Chad), President Dos Santos (Angola) , President Nkurunziza (Burundi) , President Kagame (Rwanda), President Kabila (DRC), President Bashir (Sudan), President Afewerki (Eritrea), President Guelleh (Djibouti) and President Mugabe (Zimbabwe) has all been sitting a long time and has nothing new to show (and surely I could given some honourable mentions that I haven’t said). They can’t and they are not hungry to deliver. If they deliver or does anything profound it would be by rare luck or a new cash-cow for their elites and the political affiliates.

It is a reason why the Members of Parliament are greedy, why the corrupt behavior is happening and why the transparency is so low. The Executives who runs for life and runs for decades upon decades wish to run the game without question. That is their wish and their ways of assembling the needed riches for themselves.

NRM Oyee! 09.04.2016

President Museveni might drop by district and deliver some equipment and check of a few million shillings, but the depleted hospitals and schools isn’t built on wink and nudge from the master. While the inflation and the unstable currency doesn’t make the investors safe to have a haven of business in Uganda. This together with everything is connected to the President and his entourage as the family of Museveni is connected to all kind of business and agreements. Land is being delivered to the Elite or Financial backers, while locals and Internal Displaced Persons are living decades-on in camps. So the Museveni cannot drop a new sense of accountability as the walking budget isn’t promising anything new or creating a solid foundation now as that is not in his interest.

The interest of these long serving leaders isn’t to have strong institutions; they want them weak and keep people loyal around them. The Electorate and Citizens are not really important they are only important when they are pawns useful to trade aid or trade agreements of government loans to secure fiscal funding of the Financial Year and the Budget.  

These long serving leaders have control over foreign exchange, central banks and also the businesses that are vital for export commodities so that they can earn money on the hard work of the citizens as they do what they can to survive and live basic on the mercy of these political leaders. This happens years upon end… without question and with the powers of controlling the heads of the Military and Police so they can silence the population. Therefore the worst crimes aren’t murders or stealing under these dictatorships. The worst crime and worst offence is to offend and counter-claim the legitimacy of the Executive. Parts of that is also to solidify popular support of the public and therefore needs to be detained and charged with amazing amounts affidavits and draconian laws to determine the fate of the opposition by any means.

So this is the profile of the fellow Presidents, they are doing it in their own way, but the key of results is this: keep themselves in Power and secure the government funds together with business in the Nation for their loyalist and the people that the President can trust.

swiss leaks africa accounts

Since they cannot win the popular ballots as some of them could have in their first elections and ballots as they might have liberated the Nation or even gotten rid of former dictators or the fantastically corrupt who used the army and economy themselves to build palaces and get more government funds into Swiss Bank Accounts than amounts of sheep on New Zealand. The Presidents and their elites are in recent elections either using fear, armies to disrupt and silence opposition; if that doesn’t work ballot-stuffing, pre-ticked ballots and even stop the counting and fix the result for the Ruling Regime. So that the “legitimate” government is still there and with their “elected” men and woman even if the Electorate meant differently. That has happen again and again. The Presidents uses elections as big-caving events and periods to finally buy loyalty of local communities and give pledges that they have never plans to achieve as they keep the district in dire poverty to secure the aid and donor funds. While having ability to skim the funds and take the taxpayer’s money as the accountability doesn’t matter as much as the personal relationship between the Elite on the top. So when the President passes by the impoverished district he would drop some shillings and pay the community leaders with a new car or big brown envelope.

Why do we accept these men to run these ruthless games and when is this supposed to end?

When will the public and citizens be respected?

What do you think about my opinions, does they fit the bill?

Do you have any answers as I was just ranting again today! Peace.