Update on 1 August killings

As the Commission of Inquiry into the 1 August post-election violence hears evidence from members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Zimbabwe Republic Police today we give you an update of the hearing that was done in Mutare, Manicaland.

Witness 9 Roshewell Banga:  Testified that violence has constantly been perpetrated by state agents and ZANUPF including 2008 Violence. Primary evidence was used to dismiss Nelson Chamisa's Constitutional court application, therefore primary evidence should be used to determine who shot people in daylight.

Witness 10 Evan Mbengo:  Gave recommendations to the commission that its mandate should be broadened and more time should be allocated to it. The witness also called for a GNU to solve the current economic challenges.

Witness 11 Patricia Mpofu: Appealed to the commission to deal with social media abuse. MDC Alliance abused social media to incite violence on 1 August. Social media was used as a weapon for violence and political intolerance.

Witness 12 Chrispen Dube: said everyone blaming the MDC Alliance  but the army should be kept away from civilians and let the Police do their work. Postmortem reports of the deceased were falsified by the State, to cover-up the shootings.

Witness 13 Richard Chitema: Argued that the 1August violence was planned. MDC Alliance should have gone to court other than protest
We will be giving you more details as the hearings continue during the day.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa established the seven-member commission, chaired by South Africa s former President Kgalema Motlanthe, to investigate circumstances leading to the violence that rocked Harare soon after the July 2018 harmonised elections.
On Friday, High court handed a shocking judgement absolving President Mnangagwa of deploying soldiers who were involved in the violence that left 6 civilians dead.