News / National
No to unilateral appointment of Chihuri — MDC
06 Feb 2012 at 05:09hrs | Views
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T and Professor Welshman Ncube's
MDC have insisted that Mugabe cannot reappoint Chihuri without
consulting the two other coalition government partners.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) executive director Irene Petras also said it was a democratic right for people to freely discuss public appointments such as those of the country's top police officers and judges.
She said it was in the public interest for Zimbabweans to have confidence in people appointed to top public positions.
"This is part of a robust debate about public appointments and there is nothing criminal about discussing whether Chihuri's term has ended," said Petras.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said Zimbabweans have a right to know the correct position regarding Chihuri's status following the expiry of his term of office.
"Chihuri's term of office has expired and other officers within the ranks must be given a chance to lead the police force," he said. "People are entitled to their own opinion and journalists must not be threatened by a favour-seeking Attorney- General."
MDC deputy spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said the extension of Chihuri's term of office was an issue that required stakeholder consultation and consensus.
He urged Tomana to quit government and join mainstream politics, accusing him of abusing state apparatus to silence opposing views.
"The MDC will never be cowed into silence by public officers who are ignorant of their boundaries," he said. "We view the threats as part of Zanu PF's broad strategy to ruin the inclusive government."
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) executive director Irene Petras also said it was a democratic right for people to freely discuss public appointments such as those of the country's top police officers and judges.
She said it was in the public interest for Zimbabweans to have confidence in people appointed to top public positions.
"This is part of a robust debate about public appointments and there is nothing criminal about discussing whether Chihuri's term has ended," said Petras.
"Chihuri's term of office has expired and other officers within the ranks must be given a chance to lead the police force," he said. "People are entitled to their own opinion and journalists must not be threatened by a favour-seeking Attorney- General."
MDC deputy spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said the extension of Chihuri's term of office was an issue that required stakeholder consultation and consensus.
He urged Tomana to quit government and join mainstream politics, accusing him of abusing state apparatus to silence opposing views.
"The MDC will never be cowed into silence by public officers who are ignorant of their boundaries," he said. "We view the threats as part of Zanu PF's broad strategy to ruin the inclusive government."
Source - standard
