MDC Alliance Demands an immediate Release of the Three, Calls for UN Led Independent Inquiry
14 June 2020
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MDC Alliance demands an immediate release of three, calls for UN led independent inquiry

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leaders Cecelia Chimbiri,Netsai Marova and Hon Joana Mamombe are in prison detained for the sole reason of persecution.

We demand their immediate release and an independent inquiry into their abduction & torture because their arrest is a planned cover up. It is meant to traumatize them further, intimidate them and silence them.

The MDC Alliance is aware that the criminal justice system is being used in a desperate attempt to complete and validate Mr. Kazembe Kazembe and Ndabaningi Mangwana’s conspiracies. Both men made statements predicting and pre determining that police investigations into the abduction report made by the three would end with the conclusion that the abduction was stage managed. Kazembe Kazembe publicly discussed evidence that is before the courts in a clear act of obstruction of the course of law and no action has been taken against him. The judiciary is compromised and cannot effectively deliver justice and fairness in this matter.

The conspiracies by the aforementioned two Emmerson Mnangagwa appointees were told on behalf of the police despite the fact that the police ought to act independent of politicians in line with the conduct outlined in section 208 of the Zimbabwe Constitution.

The three are being accused of making false statements before investigations are concluded. Their doctors and state doctors advised the police that the three were highly traumatised and not in a position to give statements but the police went ahead and interrogated the three. They should have been afforded time to recover from the trauma and PTSD before they tell their full story. Even under those circumstances, they have fully cooperated with the police to assist with investigation into their abduction. Only for police to suddenly lock them up and accuse them of faking an abduction. The conduct of the police has been unprofessional.

Furthermore, unidentified members of the police are implicated in the abduction so it is not possible for the police and other security agencies to investigate themselves. The police is compromised and has demonstrated ineptitude in investigating this matter.

The MDC Alliance lodged formal complaints with the Human Rights Commission, the National Peace & Reconciliation Commission and the Gender commission. These commissions are yet to give reports of their investigations into the abduction & torture of the trio. Investigations by independent commissions must be timely so as to aid redress of violations. This has not been the case.

Given the ineffectiveness of the police, the judiciary and chapter 12 institutions possibly owing to undue external pressure from the Mnangagwa regime, the MDC Alliance notes with regret the lack of any internal complaint mechanism against members of the security service. This stems from failure to establish an independent complains mechanism against members of the security services as provided in section 210 of the Zimbabwe Constitution; again a deliberate ploy by Mnangagwa who has allowed partisan abuse of security services.

Given the stated facts, the MDC Alliance is convinced that the current justice system is contaminated. We therefore reiterate our call for a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into this criminal act possibly led by the United Nations.

While efforts are made to get justice for the three, it must be understood that the current spate of human rights abuses are a symptom of a wider governance crisis stemming from Mr Mnangagwa’s illegitimate presidency; equal effort must be put in resolving the political crisis besetting the country.

Maureen Kademaunga
MDC Alliance Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare