CABINET has resolved to quell the persecution of civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders by security forces at a special meeting to take place in two weeks’ time, MDC leader Welshman Ncube said yesterday.
REPORT BY WONAI MASVINGISE
This comes at a time police have recently been on a spree arresting human rights activists. Human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa was detained for almost a week in police cells after she was accused of obstructing the course of justice. She was released on bail on Tuesday.
In an interview with NewsDay, Ncube disclosed that Cabinet was concerned by the security forces’ conduct, prompting the convening of the special indaba.
“It was agreed at Cabinet two weeks ago that we meet to discuss this matter. Two days ago the decision to meet was again reinforced, but it was not agreed on what day the meeting will be held, but it might be next week or the week after,” he said.
“The meeting will be to discuss what is to be done concerning the goings-on in the country, the police clampdown on CSOs. We have also not yet agreed on when we are going to have the next election and this will also be discussed.”
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka added the coalition government principals had discussed the issue during their meeting on Monday.
“The principals met and agreed that the behaviour of the police was tainting the image of the country and that it was creating the impression that the country is not ready for a peaceful poll. They will have a meeting with (police chief Augustine) Chihuri,” Tamborinyoka said.
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He also said that the principals concurred that holding elections in June was not feasible.
“They agreed that the June 29 election date being peddled by Zanu PF is not feasible in the absence of reforms. They also agreed that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission must be allowed to execute its constitutional mandate without disturbance and interference from any quarter,” Tamborinyoka said.
