YOUTH ADVOCACY FOR REFORM & DEMOCRACY (YARD) Press statement on Monday’s Continued Police Brutality Against the Peaceful Protestors who Engaged in a March Against the Government’s Delayed Disbursement of Civil Servants’ Salaries and Bonuses
4th January 2016
The Youth Advocacy for Reform & Democracy (YARD) wishes to express its abhorrence that the epidemic of police violence and brutality continues uninterrupted in our country. Moreso our repugnance overflows to the Government of the day for giving free reign to the perpetrators of such violence. We condemn and protest against the high-handed crackdown of police on peaceful teachers, civil servants and the youth in Harare today, Monday the 4th of January 2016.
The impunity enjoyed by members of the law enforcement agencies is roundly denounced and we rise in solidarity with the thousands of civil servants who have been robbed of their hard-earned salaries and bonuses and further had insult added to injury by being beaten down for daring to illustrate and display their frustrations and sheer hopelessness at the situation.
This is despite the application for the peaceful march having been dutifully and procedurally submitted to the police. The peoples’ right to dissent has been gagged by the authorities and their democratic right to protest against the government, violated. It is shameful that police could not tolerate even a peaceful protest and shockingly tried to disperse the protesters using reprehensible means.
In our observation, YARD recommends that the Judiciary, Government and Parliament immediately:-
* Ensures that there should be an immediate stop on any mode of repression on peaceful Democratic movements.
* Ensures that all instances of police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers are investigated promptly, effectively and impartially by an independent mechanism with no institutional or hierarchical connection between the investigators and the alleged perpetrators
* Ensures that reforms and the right of freedom of speech and association must be respected as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
* Prosecutes persons suspected of torture or ill treatment and, if found guilty, ensure that they are punished in accordance with the gravity of their acts.
* Provide effective remedies and rehabilitation to the victims
Today’s display of violence against peace loving Zimbabweans only serves as a prelude to what may be expected come the elections scheduled for 2018 and a reminder of the harshness of the system we advocate against. What is more disappointing is the fact that Zimbabwe chairs the AU and recently chaired the SADC and therefore is held in high esteem and regarded as a country with one of the highest literacy rates and yet it defies logic and is contradictory that we resort to violence and are viewed by the international community as disrespecting human rights.
The unjustified incarceration of Obert Masaraure and Pride Mukono of the Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, yet again, as well as that of Robson Chere, the YARD Provincial Committee Member for Recruitment & Mobilisation for Mashonaland East is unwarranted and we demand their immediate acquittal and release.
YARD will continue with its support of like-minded unions and organisations and looks forward to the day that will see the youth occupy their space and have 40% representation in local and national elective office.
For and on behalf of the Youth Advocacy for Reform & Democracy (YARD)….
Temba P. Mliswa
Founder & National Coordinator: YARD