News / National
Political violence at Mbare Funeral
14 Mar 2017 at 06:01hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Peace Project has ondemned the politically motivated violence that occurred at Gogo Chiquita Mack's funeral in Mbare on the 11th of March 2017.
ZPP said Zanu PF youths led by their leader who was identified as Bernard attacked mourners with stones after MDC-T MP Honourable Gift Chimanikire donated fuel and other things to use for the funeral in support of gogo Chiquita's son who is a supporter of the opposition MDC-T.
"This did not go down well with the Zanu PF youths who attacked mourners with stones and damaged windowpanes in the process. Mourners fled and some did not return fearing that the ruling party youths may strike again," ZPP said.
"The matter was reported to the police (RRB 3042207) but the police are said to have only called Bernard and told him to desist from disrupting the funeral proceedings. All citizens have the right to belong to political parties of their choice as enshrined in the constitution. This means all citizens should not be harassed or intimidated for their political choices."
The ZPP said it is concerned that police indifference and soft approach to dealing with known perpetrators of violence will only breed a culture of impunity and embolden the perpetrators as the 2018 elections draw closer.
"Responsible authorities must ensure that those implicated in political violence are dealt with in accordance with the law. ZPP is a Non Governmental Organisation that was founded in 2000 by a group of faith based and human rights NGOs working and interested in human rights and peace-building initiatives. ZPP has become a vehicle for civic interventions in times of political crises. In particular, ZPP seeks to monitor and document incidents of human rights violations and breaches of peace," said ZPP.
ZPP said Zanu PF youths led by their leader who was identified as Bernard attacked mourners with stones after MDC-T MP Honourable Gift Chimanikire donated fuel and other things to use for the funeral in support of gogo Chiquita's son who is a supporter of the opposition MDC-T.
"This did not go down well with the Zanu PF youths who attacked mourners with stones and damaged windowpanes in the process. Mourners fled and some did not return fearing that the ruling party youths may strike again," ZPP said.
"The matter was reported to the police (RRB 3042207) but the police are said to have only called Bernard and told him to desist from disrupting the funeral proceedings. All citizens have the right to belong to political parties of their choice as enshrined in the constitution. This means all citizens should not be harassed or intimidated for their political choices."
The ZPP said it is concerned that police indifference and soft approach to dealing with known perpetrators of violence will only breed a culture of impunity and embolden the perpetrators as the 2018 elections draw closer.
"Responsible authorities must ensure that those implicated in political violence are dealt with in accordance with the law. ZPP is a Non Governmental Organisation that was founded in 2000 by a group of faith based and human rights NGOs working and interested in human rights and peace-building initiatives. ZPP has become a vehicle for civic interventions in times of political crises. In particular, ZPP seeks to monitor and document incidents of human rights violations and breaches of peace," said ZPP.
Source - Byo24News
