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NewsDay

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UN envoy broke-down over violence — PM

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Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Sunday told MDC-T supporters that United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay was almost reduced to tears after she was shown pictorial evidence of rights abuses blamed on Zanu PF activists. The South African was in the country for five days last month to assess human rights violations […]

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Sunday told MDC-T supporters that United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay was almost reduced to tears after she was shown pictorial evidence of rights abuses blamed on Zanu PF activists.

The South African was in the country for five days last month to assess human rights violations in the country.

Addressing mourners at the burial of slain party activist Cephas Magura in Mudzi North, Mashonaland East province, Tsvangirai said he showed Pillay pictures and evidence of political violence during their meeting.

“Those who killed (Tichaona) Chiminya are being celebrated as heroes,” he said.

“The world over, Zimbabwe is known for violence. We told her (Pillay) and she almost cried because of the pictures, booklets and testimony demonstrated the human rights abuses in this country.

“Unless you belong to Zanu PF, you can be subjected to the greatest abuse with impunity.”

He said Sadc was clear about the need to avoid another blood tainted election in Zimbabwe. “Elections should come but without reforms, they reproduce 2008,” Tsvangirai said.

“Who wants to go back to 2008? Across the political divide, no one wants to go back to 2008. We all know the difficulties.”

Tsvangirai said if proper mechanisms were put in place, everyone would vote for a candidate of their choice without fear.

He said the MDC-T would unveil a fund to ensure children and spouses of the victims of violence would be taken care of.

“We are seeing the growing number of orphans and widows due to political violence,” he said.

“I can’t afford to pay now, but the commitment is that we will build a fund. The children will go to school. We want to follow up on all those who lost their beloved ones.”