In memory of August 2018 victims

As you would be aware, today marks one year since the tragic gunning down of our citizens by the Military regime. On this day, what started off as an exercise of every Zimbabwean's right to freedom of expression resulted in the attach of innocent civilians by the military. As we remember them, we are sad to note the fact that the affected families are yet to close that chapter or to hear of what happened to their loved ones. As Zim EFF, we stand on the side of our people who are traumatised by this regime and more importantly, to mourn with the loved ones of those departed on this day. We also mourn with those who were subsequently captured, detained, tortured and brutalised in the regime's arbitrary attach that followed this day. We stand in solidarity with the oppressed masses of Zimbabwe.


We note the broken promises made by the current President, who announced to the world, to no avail, swift action to deal with this regrettable turn of events in our history as a country. None of us ever imagined, that the very essence and purpose of our struggles as a nation, our Chimurenga, would turn out to show face through deaths on our streets caused by the symbol of our emancipation. We never imagined our very own would employ its Defence Forces to unilaterally fire live ammunition at the unarmed and vulnerable citizens who sought to exercise their democratic rights of freedom of expression. Todate, the so-called independent Commission tasked with finding the facts behind this event has produced a report that is gathering dust somewhere in the State House.

We call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government;
•    To publicly release the contents of the so-called Motlanthe Commission, take decisive action on the basis of the recommendations advanced in the report, publicly acknowledge and apologise to the people of Zimbabwe and put behind bars, those held responsible for this blatant and unforgettable act;
 
 
•    To deliver on its promises of the Post-Mugabe era governance reforms to demonstrate commitment to accountability, justice for Human Rights abuses and respect for the Rule of Law in our land;

•    To set up an international and independent Commission(s) of Enquiry to look into human rights abuses that remain un resolved to this day. These include and are not limited to:

o    The Gukurahundi massacres of the Matabeleland people in the 1980s which were the brain child of the current President and his regime;

o    Investigating    the    massive    human    rights    abuses    that accompanied the 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 elections perpetrated on the citizens of Zimbabwe by this regime in its quest to retain power;

o    Investigate the widespread disappearances, detentions, torture, and killings of Zimbabwean citizens at the hands of its Government, military and state agents. These remain unsolved until today;

•    To take decisive action in repealing, as a sign of accountability and commitment to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the symbols of human rights abuses such as the draconian and repressive instruments of law used by the Mugabe regime and this regime against its people:

o    Access to information and Protection of Private Act (AIPPA);
o    The Public Order and Security Act (POSA);
o    The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

•    To recognise the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) as the Supreme law of the land and to immediately deal with ongoing Human Rights abuses by the state and its apparatus. In the process, ensure the following long outstanding Human Rights abuses are addressed:

o    The massacre of protesters in August 2018 by the military;
 
 
o    The intensified and brutal crackdown on opposition supporters subsequent to the post-election violence in August 2018 which saw the arbitrary abduction, torture and detention of Zimbabwean citizens;

o    Disclose the whereabouts of the pro-democracy activist, Itai Dzamara, whose where abouts remain unknown since his abduction in March 2015

Zim EFF believes the recent arrests of a few key leaders of Zanu PF by the compromised ZACC will never be enough a gesture to address the atrocities perpetrated by this regime. The plight of our people under this regime remains the same as it was under the Mugabe regime. These arrests are geared to hoodwink our people and the world, into believing this junta is serious about democratic change. We are not fooled.

The current problems facing Zimbabwe can never be resolved through half- hearted attempts by a compromised regime whose President sits at the appex of the very culprits that have perpetrated these abuses on our people. Zimbabwe requires a change so radical in its purpose for its poor to realise the fruits of this economy in their life time. Only the people of Zimbabwe can free themselves from 39 years of Zanu PF draconian rule. We call on all the democratic masses of Zimbabwe to unite with progressive movements under a democratic revolution for change in our country. Our country needs active citizens to hold this government to account. Fear of the bullets by the military will never deliver our desired true democracy and economic freedom.

Zim EFF calls for political and economic freedom in our lifetime. #Bringback our human dignity.