Mugabe should reprimand General Chiwenga

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe should reprimand the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Constantino Chiwenga, for threatening to "opposition elements and Zanu-PF infiltrators", whom he accused of causing turmoil and seeking to destroy the ruling party, a peace lobby NGO, Heal Zimbabwe Trust, has said.

According to Heal Zimbabwe, General Chiwenga's comments this week are a "direct antagonism" of peace building. Chiwenga also threatened members of the public who are using the social media to air their socio-economic grievances.

In a statement, Thursday, Heal Zimbabwe Trust said Chiwenga should be brought to order because his threats antagonise fundamental human rights freedoms which are also guaranteed in the country's new constitution.

"This (Chiwenga's behaviour) threatens Constitutional provisions on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms such as freedom to petition and demonstrate, freedom of expression and access to information and also by threatening social media users with jail he is violating  these fundamental human rights," said Heal Zimbabwe.

"Members of the Security Services should be reminded that it is constitutional for citizens to enjoy fundamental human rights where they are free to express themselves and are free to petition and demonstrate peacefully," said the peace lobby trust.

Chiwenga's remarks come at a time when the country is witnessing peaceful protests with ordinary citizens demonstrating daily against the deteriorating socio-economic conditions, corruption, high unemployment and the impending introduction of bond notes by the government.

 Heal Zimbabwe Trust also said that Chiwenga was opposing his boss President Mugabe who, during the Heroes holidays, called for peace in the country.

The NGO said if Mugabe was sincere about promoting peace in the country he should stop Chiwenga from threatening peaceful Zimbabweans.

"Heal Zimbabwe notes that while the President's call for peace is applauded, such calls should be followed by swift action that ensures that security forces respect and promote fundamental human rights. The President in accordance with section 90 of the Constitution must promote unity and peace in the nation for the benefit and well-being of all Zimbabweans."

At a press conference on Tuesday, Chiwenga said the army was fully behind Mugabe and was not going to sit back while Zimbabwe was being thrown into turmoil by what he claimed were illegal activities of local protestors. He said government was going to introduce laws to control people who used the internet to "scold leaders" and "destabilise" the country.