The lack of effectiveness of the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) has again come under the spotlight, following the apparent disregard by the police of their demand for immediate action on violence that has rocked Harare over the past few weeks.
Last week, Jomic wrote to Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri demanding action on violence which recently reared its ugly head at Parliament and Machipisa shopping centre, but got no response.
“We are worried by the lack of action on the part of the police. We need the rule of law and it’s improper that the police take no action on such matters. We have since written to the police requesting them to act following a complaint we got from the Speaker of Parliament, but we have not received a response yet,” said current Jomic chairperson Elton Mangoma.
The Jomic letter followed a complaint from the Speaker of Parliament, Lovemore Moyo, over the violence that was witnessed during the official opening of Parliament last month.
Scores of people, among them a police officer, freelance journalist and an MDC-T councillor, were attacked during the opening ceremony even as President Mugabe called for peace inside the House.
People suspected to be supporters of the MDC formations were violently driven out of Africa Unity Square.
The violence outside Parliament occurred right under the nose of police officers while in Highfield the anti-riot squad had to use teargas to quell the situation.
Harare police spokesman James Sabau confirmed no arrests had been made in connection with the cases.
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Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka said on Tuesday he was unaware of the letter.
“I wouldn’t know about that,” was all he said.
On Tuesday, Jomic, in a bid to stamp authority, wrote to all political parties in the inclusive government requesting meetings with provincial leaders over the escalating cases of violence.
However, it remains to be seen how seriously they will be taken considering the snub by police.
Many are now hinging hopes on the proposed Sadc Jomic team that is set to work with the local set-up.
