By Own Correspondent | ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday clashed with the European Union over the subject of upholding the sanctity of life.
This was during an EU sponsored function geared to improve anti corruption prosecutions in Zimbabwe.
The EU envoy, Tim Olkkonen had said the EU’s support is based on the Zimbabwean state’s faithfulness to adherence to the constitution and an upholding of the rule of law.
He said, “unfortunately, we are witnessing these days several developments that put constitutionalism and the respect for the rule of law in question. People’s civil rights, such as their rights to assembly and their right to peaceful demonstrations and petition, and also their right to acquire legal processes when they are suspected of crimes must be respected.
“Zimbabwe should show that it genuinely has made a break from the past.”
He also said Mnangagwa’s government has not been doing enough to tackle the scourge which has affected public institutions and called on the state to afford civil society organizations and the public at large to be given the democratic space to fight corruption.
“Civil society and citizens have a key role to play in fighting corruption through monitoring government actions, whistle-blowing, demonstrating and to petition among other actions.
“They should be afforded democratic spaces to fully participate lawfully and peacefully without unnecessary restrictions and without being beaten, unlawfully arrested and detained.
“The EU calls on the government to improve efforts towards bringing perpetrators to book following due processes in accordance with the law,” he said.
Responding to this, Mnangagwa gave the below reaction:
Mnangagwa told the EU envoy that he should instead of the latter, remain focused on corruption issues.
Mnangagwa’s comments come as investor confidence on Zimbabwe fell to its lowest ever since the Robert Mugabe days and it was yesterday read out that on corruption, Zimbabwe ranks number 160 out of over 180 countries in the world. Business owners say the sanctity of life is paramount for economic confidence, and Mnangagwa’s comments come as the nation experienced a rise in state security attacks on civilians.
Mnangagwa openly told the EU, “you referred to human rights, this platform was for corruption, may I urge civil society to restrict themselves to their mandate.”