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Chamisa will face Motlanthe only if Mnangagwa also testifies
15 Nov 2018 at 18:08hrs | Views
MDC LEADER Nelson Chamisa said on Thursday he would only testify before an inquiry into post-election violence that killed six people in August if President Emmerson Mnangagwa did the same.
MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said Chamisa and Harare East MP Tendai Biti were among MDC leaders who on Thursday received letters calling them to appear before the commission when it resumes on November 21. The others are deputy president Morgen Komichi, former parliamentary candidate Shadreck Mashayamombe. The party said it had also been sent a letter for Jim Kunaka, a former Zanu-PF activist, but would be returning it to the commission because he was not a member.
"Those names that have been mentioned at the Motlanthe Commission, whether by mistake, by malice or anything… If they are to be fair, what's good for the goose must be good for the gander, they must be able to invite Mr Mnangagwa. If he is not going to go, why should I go alone?" Chamisa said to reporters at the MDC's headquarters in Harare.
Police chief Godwin Matanga on Tuesday told the commission that Chamisa could be arrested any time for inciting violence. Chamisa said this was part of the pressure on him to recognise Mnangagwa as president.
Chamisa said there was a plan afoot to "decimate the opposition, to destroy the MDC" through bringing trumped-up charges against the party's leadership.
Chamisa said claims that the MDC organised the August 1 protests was not based on fact. He thought the protests were "unstrategic".
"The MDC does not organise those tiny, little, ad hoc demonstrations. We're not an ad hoc party. We're not a rat organisation; we're an elephant organisation. When we organise things, we organise elephant things and elephant demonstrations," he said.
"In terms of those who demonstrated, the police must arrest those who were there, not look for who incited people. How could I incite people on 31st July when I was waiting for election results? I was sure that they would declare the proper result and I was ready to go to State House. How does a person who is ready to go to State House find time to incite people and mobilise people to burn cars of a country you want to run? Why would I do that?
"It was very stupid even for people who demonstrated, to demonstrate for the results to be released because they then opened themselves to attacks and manipulation. It's their right to demonstrate, but also I think I have a right to question. It was premature, it was unstrategic and open to be manipulated by the enemies of the people; enemies of peace; the merchants of violence – the archbishops of violence."
MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said Chamisa and Harare East MP Tendai Biti were among MDC leaders who on Thursday received letters calling them to appear before the commission when it resumes on November 21. The others are deputy president Morgen Komichi, former parliamentary candidate Shadreck Mashayamombe. The party said it had also been sent a letter for Jim Kunaka, a former Zanu-PF activist, but would be returning it to the commission because he was not a member.
"Those names that have been mentioned at the Motlanthe Commission, whether by mistake, by malice or anything… If they are to be fair, what's good for the goose must be good for the gander, they must be able to invite Mr Mnangagwa. If he is not going to go, why should I go alone?" Chamisa said to reporters at the MDC's headquarters in Harare.
Police chief Godwin Matanga on Tuesday told the commission that Chamisa could be arrested any time for inciting violence. Chamisa said this was part of the pressure on him to recognise Mnangagwa as president.
Chamisa said there was a plan afoot to "decimate the opposition, to destroy the MDC" through bringing trumped-up charges against the party's leadership.
Chamisa said claims that the MDC organised the August 1 protests was not based on fact. He thought the protests were "unstrategic".
"The MDC does not organise those tiny, little, ad hoc demonstrations. We're not an ad hoc party. We're not a rat organisation; we're an elephant organisation. When we organise things, we organise elephant things and elephant demonstrations," he said.
"In terms of those who demonstrated, the police must arrest those who were there, not look for who incited people. How could I incite people on 31st July when I was waiting for election results? I was sure that they would declare the proper result and I was ready to go to State House. How does a person who is ready to go to State House find time to incite people and mobilise people to burn cars of a country you want to run? Why would I do that?
"It was very stupid even for people who demonstrated, to demonstrate for the results to be released because they then opened themselves to attacks and manipulation. It's their right to demonstrate, but also I think I have a right to question. It was premature, it was unstrategic and open to be manipulated by the enemies of the people; enemies of peace; the merchants of violence – the archbishops of violence."
Source - zimloive
