By Prince Njagu- President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa defended the use of force by state security forces when dealing with civilians and went on to justify these human rights violations whilst addressing Political Actors’ Dialogue (Polad) yesterday in Harare.
It did not come as a shock to many, as Mnangagwa and his ZANU PF government have been accused of human rights violations even during the rule of his predecessor, Robert Mugabe.
Mnangagwa did not stop on just justifying these human rights violations but went on to dismiss the political crisis within Zimbabwe.
He dismissed all social media claims of unrest in the country, and insisted that, all actions by the security forces were for maintaining peace and tranquillity within Zimbabwe.
The authenticity of these sentiments is questionable as they have been abductions, and torture of anyone who speaks against the ZANU PF regime. The latest case being the arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.
Chin’ono was arrested for speaking up against a corrupt government and was being denied bail. In a country where there is no political crisis, security forces are not always called upon unarmed civilians.
Anyone who points out the rot in the ZANU PF administration is arrested and is denied bail.
MDC Alliance deputy national chairperson, Job Sikhala was arrested last month, and is facing charges of inciting the July 31 anti-government protests. The Zengeza legislator has since been denied bail and will have to spend more time in remand prison.
The president denies the instability in the country, despite the fact that opposition members disappeared under police custody, and only reappeared, tortured and abused.
Arrests must be justified, and when citizens have opposing views, those are no grounds for using security forces.
“My compatriots, it is in line with enforcing these measures that some sections of society have cried foul,” said Mnangagwa.
Controversial sentiments were also made by Mnagangwa as he also dismissed allegations of presiding over gross human rights violations.
Justifying use of security forces on civilians reveals the nature of Mnagagwa’s presidency and current affairs in the country.