Full statement:
Thursday, 07 July 2016
Zanu PF, police a security threat
We note with concern that in some instances Zimbabweans yesterday exercised their Constitutional rights and effectively shut down the country as a means to petition government to address the monumental crisis facing the country.
It was the police themselves that were provoking people by unleashing dogs and throwing tear smoke on innocent Zimbabweans, in the process worsening an already volatile situation. We are also reliably informed that some Zanu PF youths are being supplied with police uniforms and causing mayhem. The behavior of the police and their use of brute force was in itself an incitement to violence on an otherwise peaceful citizenry constitutionally expressing itself.
It is the State security agents, in particular the police that are a security threat judging by the indiscriminate and ill-timed behavior of swooping into residential areas, unleashing dogs, throwing tear gas and beating up people. This is very provocative behavior that can easily worsen an already volatile situation.
In any case, the biggest security threat is the continued stay in office by Mugabe himself.
The MDC also notes with concern that the Zanu PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere, gave what he called a “warning” to the MDC and other groupings for exercising their Consitutional right. Kasukuwere should be mindful that it is Zanu PF instead that should take seriously the warning given by the innocent citizens of this country who heeded the call for a shut-down to impress upon government to solve the national crisis. Kasukuwere has no mandate to warn anyone, except for him and his colleagues in government to heed the serious warning that came from the people of Zimbabwe.
He cannot be allowed to play big brother to citizens enjoying their constitutional right and freedom of expression. It is the citizens instead who gave a warning to this clueless party in government to address their concerns or face a bigger deluge.
The MDC is heartened, however, by the war veterans who joined the people and warned that Zanu PF should address the national concerns or risk oblivion. As a reserve force of the Zimbabwe National Army, the war veterans were clear that the party in government has gone off the rails and should take seriously the concerns and grievances of the ordinary people of Zimbabwe.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe offers a broad scope of rights and freedoms to the people. The people of Zimbabwe will continue to exercise these rights as enshrined in the supreme law of the land. Unless and until the party in government deals with the monumental crisis that we face as a nation, the people will continue expressing themselves in the streets of Zimbabwe. President Mugabe and his government can only continue to bury their heads in the sand at their own peril.
Giles Mutsekwa
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs
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