By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed his seven member commission of inquiry to investigate the August 1 shootings in Harare that left 6 people dead.
Opposition NCA leader Lovemore Madhuku has been included in the commission which has been confirmed as being chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlante.
The commission is as follows:
Kgalema Motlante Chairman
Lovemore Madhuku
Charity Manyeruke
Chief Emeka Anyaouku
Robin Dickson QC-UK
Vimbai Nyemba
General Davis Mwamunyange
Mnangagwa’s full speech announcing the commission reads as below:
STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, COMRADE E.D. MNANGAGWA, ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INQUIRE INTO THE POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE ON THE FIRST OF AUGUST 2018.
Fellow Zimbabweans, following the post-election disturbing events of the 1st of August, 2018, which resulted in the loss of lives, and damage to property, I wish to announce to the nation that;
(i) In fulfilment of what I have earlier on undertaken to do, in order to address the matter in a transparent manner and in the public interest, I have appointed a seven-member Commission to inquire into the post-election violence.
(ii) The Commission is made up of Local, Regional and International members who have been appointed in terms of the Commission of Inquiry Act [Chapter 10:07].
The Terms of Reference for the Commission are as follows:-
(a) to inquire into the circumstances leading to the 1st of August, 2018 post-election violence;
(b) to identify the actors and their leaders, their motive and strategies employed in the protests;
(c) to inquire into the intervention by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the maintenance of law and order;
(d) to investigate the circumstances which necessitated the involvement of the military in assisting in the maintenance of law and order;
(e) to consider whether the degree of force used was appropriate to the ensuing threat to public safety, law and order;
(f) to ascertain extent of damage/injury caused thereof;
(g) to investigate any other matters which the Commission of Inquiry may deem appropriate and relevant to the inquiry;
(h) to make suitable recommendations; and
(i) to report to the President in writing, the result of the inquiry within a period of three months from the date of swearing —in of the Commissioners.
The following members will constitute the Commission of Inquiry:
Former President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Kgalema Motlanthe;
Rodney Dixon QC, United Kingdom;
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Federal Republic of Nigeria;
Former Chief of Defence Forces of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces, General Davis Mwamunyange;
Professor Charity Manyeruke, Political Science, University of Zimbabwe;
Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Faculty of Law, University of Zimbabwe; and
Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, Former President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe.
A notice to the above effect, will be gazetted in accordance with the law.