Zimbabwe post-election violence commission calls for relevant information

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INQUIRE INTO THE POST ELECTION VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE 1ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2018 IN ZIMBABWE

The general public is hereby informed that, following the promulgation by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Statutory Instrument 181 of 2018 (Proclamation 6 of 2018), which established a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the post-election violence that took place on the 1st day of August, 2018 in Zimbabwe, the President has put in place a seven-member Commission of Inquiry in terms of Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act/Chapter 10:071 to investigate into the matter.

The terms of reference of the commission of Inquiry are as follows:-

(a) to inquire into the circumstances leading to the 1st of August, 2018 post-election violence;

(b) to identify the actors and their leaders, their motive and strategies employed in the protests;

(c) to inquire into the intervention by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the maintenance of law and order;

(d) to investigate the circumstances which necessitated the involvement of the military in assisting in the maintenance of law and order;

(e) to consider whether the degree of force used was proportionate to the ensuing threat to public safety, law and order;

(f) to ascertain extent of damage or injury caused thereof;

(g) to investigate into any other matter which the Commission of Inquiry may deem appropriate and relevant to the inquiry;

(h) to make suitable recommendations; and

(i) to report to the President in writing, the result of the inquiry within a period of three months from the date of swearing in of the Commissioners.

In order to assist the Commission to make fair and appropriate findings, we hereby call upon members of the public with relevant information which may be of assistance to the Commission of Inquiry to submit written submissions with contact details to the Secretariat at Office No. 136 Cresta Lodge, Samora Machel Avenue, Harare or email: PostElectionInquiry2018©gmail.com or call on the following number: 0242 777052.

The submissions to the Commission will be protected by law and will be received on a "without prejudice" basis. Necessary measures have been put in place to guarantee the safety and protection of potential witnesses.

After receiving the written submissions, the Commission shall conduct public hearings.

The deadline for submissions is the 12th of October 2018.