The United States government has implored Sadc to prioritise the reform of the Zimbabwe’s security sector in order to bring to an end the persecution of political leaders and activists.
Acting US embassy spokesperson Andrew Posner told NewsDay yesterday that Sadc should seize itself with the contentious issue of security sector reform because of the persistent harassment of political activists in the country.
“The arrest and harassment of political leaders is a well-worn political intimidation tactic.
“This is a misuse of the security sector and has no place in a modern democratic state,” said Posner.
“We call on the Southern African Development Community to put the issue of security sector reform on the table as a matter of priority,” Posner added.
Police on Sunday briefly detained MDC-N president and Industry and Commerce minister Welshman Ncube, party secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, her deputy Moses Mzila-Ndlovu and almost the entire party leadership only to release them without charge.
The arrest of the MDC-N leaders came a few weeks after the arrest and detention of Jameson Timba, the Minister of State in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Office, on allegations of undermining President Robert Mugabe by allegedly calling him a liar.
The Sadc summit, which is scheduled for Angola next month, is expected to deal with the Zimbabwe crisis.
