ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform (ZHRMP) has called for the government to urgently address concerns expressed by non-state actors and address the national question on democracy and human rights in the country.
This followed a recent acquittal of two MDC members Last Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere who had been convicted for allegedly killing a Police Inspector in Glenview in 2011.
Despite the video footage evidence brought by Maengahama which showed that he was in a church when the murder took place, the judge dismissed it and they were sent behind bars.
However, the same judge acquitted them last Friday, and nothing has been done to bring justice to them by the state.
State of Human Rights First Quota report
In a state of Human Rights First Quota of 2021, ZHRMP Programs Officer, Takudzwa Gwaze said the country’s human rights situation continued to decline despite President Mnangagwa solemn promises to commit himself to committing human rights reforms
“The recent acquittal on Friday of Last Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere who were released from Chikurubi Prison after more than ten years behind bars for a crime they didn’t commit is an example of lack of fairness within the Zimbabwean judicial system which needs an urgent address.
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“Little to no efforts were made to bring those responsible for abuses of justice and enhance peace and reconciliation in the country”, he said.
Records of injustice cases
He also said that more than 70 opposition parties members had been abducted in 2020.
Notably, Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) members Allan Moyo spent more than 2 months behind bars.
Moreover, 3 female Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC- Alliance) female activists were convicted after taking part in a protest in Harare against government failure to cushion marginalized communities during the lockdown period as most sources of income were shattered.
“Zimbabwe remained highly intolerant of basic human rights, peaceful dissent and freedom of expression in 2021”, said Gwaze.
The political situation in Zimbabwe
Attainment of justice in Zimbabwe by opposition members is complicated as almost every public institution is under the supremacy of the ZANU PF the ruling party.
The same in consideration of the justice of opposition activists witnessed ever since the reign of the late President Robert Mugabe who was ousted in 2017 through a coup and succeeded by his Vice President, Emmerson Mnangangwa.
During the administration of President Mnangagwa, not many changes were witnessed as abuse of human rights, abductions, tortures and arrests of opposition activists and movements continues unabated.
Henceforth, Gwaze said the government should create an independent body that includes opposition parties members to ensure the attainment of justice and enjoyment of human rights by all citizens.
