ZPP and NGO Forum Condemn Violence, Call for Calm

By Grace Mutandwa

Harare – Human rights organisations have issued statements condemning the violence that erupted in the capital yesterday which has now claimed six lives.

Disgruntled MDC Alliance supporters staged a demonstration after the party leader had earlier announced victory on social media but results to the contrary led the supporters to take to the streets.

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said initially only riot police patrolled the tension-filled streets but as the supporters got more and more restive, shop owners closed their businesses and vendors left.

In a statement, the ZPP urged political parties and the general public to desist from any form of violence.

“The ZPP urges political parties and the general public to desist from any form of violence and to stop disseminating fake news which has the effect of inciting the public. Everyone must remain calm and allow the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to finish announcing the official results within the period stipulated by law,” said the statement.

In a statement in response to the heavy-handed response by the security forces, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum expressed outrage at the behaviour of the Zimbabwean government in unlawfully deploying the military in the city yesterday.

“The Forum is outraged by the behaviour of the Zimbabwean government in unlawfully deploying the military in Harare yesterday, leading to the extra-judicial killing of three unarmed civilians, according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and several more injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” said the NGO Forum in a statement which was issued before the death toll had risen to six.

The statement added that “The tragic events were a result of clashes between the ZRP and members of the public, including opposition political party supporters who were protesting the perceived delay in the release of the results of the Presidential Election.

“Reports indicated that the ZRP was in control of the situation when military vehicles were observed driving into the central business district. Gunshots were fired randomly throughout the central business district. Forum observers witnessed soldiers randomly firing live bullets and beating up bystanders who were not involved in the protest. The military’s conduct fell short of internationally accepted standards in controlling protesting crowds.”

The Forum also said the statement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa placing the blame on the opposition and that of the police invoking the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) were both regrettable. Citing other incidents where the military had acted brutally, the Forum demanded that there be an immediate investigation into the deployment of the military on August 1.