News / Local
Mnangagwa claims CCC destabilisation
21 Jun 2022 at 10:23hrs | Views
resident Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday skirted addressing the gruesome killing of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Moreblessing Ali, and instead accused the opposition party of creating "disharmony."
Ali was abducted outside a nightclub on May 24, her body dismembered and thrown in a disused well in the Nyatsime area of Chitungwiza. Her decomposed remains were discovered on June 11.
Her death sparked political tensions, with the CCC insisting that she had been killed for political reasons. Her alleged killer Pias Mutendi is the brother of the local Zanu PF leader, Simba Chisango.
Zanu PF leaders in Nyatsime threatened to bar CCC supporters from her funeral wake, leading to clashes which left several houses, cars and shops damaged.
Mnangagwa, speaking at the burial of former army general Sydney Bhebhe at the Heroes Acre in Harare, accused the CCC of instigating the skirmishes.
CCC MPs Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole, and several activists – among them Precious Jeche, Adious Makoma and Misheck Guzha – have been arrested accused of inciting public violence.
"What happened recently in the Nyatsime township of Chitungwiza is deplorable and should never be repeated. The nation is now familiar with these shenanigans and incidences of staged violence, which are designed to tarnish the image of Zimbabwe, especially ahead of major international meetings," Mnangagwa said.
"This time, the destabilising and violent theatrics by opposition elements are being done ahead of the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) in Rwanda. Shame on you if you are the leader of a political party which thrives on violence and the insecurity of our people to be relevant. Shame, shame, shame on you!"
Mnangagwa, without naming the CCC, claimed the party's leaders were attempting to "destabilise" his government.
"The levels and intensity of falsehoods being peddled by some opposition political parties to whip their supporters into orgies of violence, hate and disharmony, is now extremely worrisome and my administration will not stand by and watch," he said.
"Zimbabwe is a peaceful country, and this culture is alien to our society under the Second Republic. The law will take effect and its application will be without fear or favour. No-one is above the law. I, thus, call upon our communities throughout the country to be vigilant against these destabilising and hateful political parties."
CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused Mnangagwa of politicking instead of condemning Ali's murder.
"It's a matter of regret that instead of condemning the enforced disappearance and murder of Moreblessing Ali, Mr Mnangagwa is politicking and blaming the opposition," Mahere told ZimLive.
"We continue to condemn violence and call for a level political playing field as we approach 2023. The abuse of the police service to serve partisan ends and the use of political violence are tools of the weak."
Ali was abducted outside a nightclub on May 24, her body dismembered and thrown in a disused well in the Nyatsime area of Chitungwiza. Her decomposed remains were discovered on June 11.
Her death sparked political tensions, with the CCC insisting that she had been killed for political reasons. Her alleged killer Pias Mutendi is the brother of the local Zanu PF leader, Simba Chisango.
Zanu PF leaders in Nyatsime threatened to bar CCC supporters from her funeral wake, leading to clashes which left several houses, cars and shops damaged.
Mnangagwa, speaking at the burial of former army general Sydney Bhebhe at the Heroes Acre in Harare, accused the CCC of instigating the skirmishes.
CCC MPs Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole, and several activists – among them Precious Jeche, Adious Makoma and Misheck Guzha – have been arrested accused of inciting public violence.
"What happened recently in the Nyatsime township of Chitungwiza is deplorable and should never be repeated. The nation is now familiar with these shenanigans and incidences of staged violence, which are designed to tarnish the image of Zimbabwe, especially ahead of major international meetings," Mnangagwa said.
"This time, the destabilising and violent theatrics by opposition elements are being done ahead of the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) in Rwanda. Shame on you if you are the leader of a political party which thrives on violence and the insecurity of our people to be relevant. Shame, shame, shame on you!"
Mnangagwa, without naming the CCC, claimed the party's leaders were attempting to "destabilise" his government.
"The levels and intensity of falsehoods being peddled by some opposition political parties to whip their supporters into orgies of violence, hate and disharmony, is now extremely worrisome and my administration will not stand by and watch," he said.
"Zimbabwe is a peaceful country, and this culture is alien to our society under the Second Republic. The law will take effect and its application will be without fear or favour. No-one is above the law. I, thus, call upon our communities throughout the country to be vigilant against these destabilising and hateful political parties."
CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused Mnangagwa of politicking instead of condemning Ali's murder.
"It's a matter of regret that instead of condemning the enforced disappearance and murder of Moreblessing Ali, Mr Mnangagwa is politicking and blaming the opposition," Mahere told ZimLive.
"We continue to condemn violence and call for a level political playing field as we approach 2023. The abuse of the police service to serve partisan ends and the use of political violence are tools of the weak."
Source - zimlive
