BUHERA South MP Joseph Chinotimba has threatened to stage another solo demonstration next week in solidarity with pirate taxi drivers who have been accused of operating illegally and causing traffic congestion in Harare’s central business district.
MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
The Zanu PF MP held a solo demonstration on Tuesday to pressure his former employer, Harare City Council, to allow the pirate taxis to operate freely in the capital city. He accused the city fathers of clamping down on unregistered taxis while failing to attend to the city’s potholed roads and improve service delivery.
Although Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni has dismissed Chinotimba’s protests as a cheap publicity stunt meant to promote anarchy, the outspoken MP yesterday said he was unmoved by the criticism from city fathers.
“If a person sees something wrong and demonstrates against it, there is nothing wrong. In fact, next week I have another demonstration which I will not pre-empt,” Chinotimba said.
“I am a politician and not a policeman and am therefore defending the public against injustice. Even (Harare West MP Jessie) Majome at one time demonstrated against smashing of windscreens and what is wrong with Chinoz?”
Chinotimba, the usually comical lawmaker who controversially won the Zimbabwe Human Rights defender of the year award, yesterday said he would continue with his demonstrations.
Chinotimba recently sparked outrageous debate on social media after he was controversially presented with the human rights defender award by ZimRights.
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His critics blasted ZimRights for awarding Chinotimba as a human rights defender despite his documented history of violent behaviour, most notably at the launch of the land reform programme in 2000 where he led violent farm invasions.
