News / National
Zimbabwe police told to be professional
19 Sep 2023 at 01:29hrs | Views
Wilbert Mandinde, the Acting Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, has urged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to demonstrate professionalism in their conduct, particularly in light of numerous arrests within the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) camp.
The police, often perceived as operating in favor of the ruling Zanu-PF party, has faced allegations of arresting CCC leaders without clear reasons, attempting abductions, and engaging in torture.
Two CCC legislators, Ostallos Siziba and Maureen Kademaunga, were recently arrested, just two weeks after President Emmerson Mnangagwa's inauguration. Siziba was accused of inciting violence during the Dynamos versus Highlanders match. Kademaunga was briefly held in police custody on attempted murder charges before her case was dropped.
Other individuals, including opposition candidate Patrick Cheza in rural Chirumanzu South and Harare's Deputy Mayor Kudzai Kadzombe, have also faced charges during this period.
Mandinde, in a statement to NewZimbabwe.com, called on the ZRP to demonstrate professionalism and impartiality. He expressed concern that police appeared to be arresting opposition members while ignoring reports against Zanu-PF supporters.
"We call on our police for once to be professional. We remain concerned about the seemingly partisan approach taken by the police in arresting members of the opposition while rarely ever arresting those from the Zanu-PF party," Mandinde stated.
He further expressed concerns about the arrests of opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) and questioned the timing of these arrests immediately following elections.
Mandinde highlighted incidents where alleged perpetrators with ties to Zanu-PF were not arrested, while opposition figures faced legal action or harassment. He pointed out that post-election periods are typically meant for people to return to their normal lives, and there should be no need for violence, abductions, arrests, and torture.
In the disputed election, President Mnangagwa was declared the winner with 52.6% of the vote, while CCC President Nelson Chamisa received 44%.
The police, often perceived as operating in favor of the ruling Zanu-PF party, has faced allegations of arresting CCC leaders without clear reasons, attempting abductions, and engaging in torture.
Two CCC legislators, Ostallos Siziba and Maureen Kademaunga, were recently arrested, just two weeks after President Emmerson Mnangagwa's inauguration. Siziba was accused of inciting violence during the Dynamos versus Highlanders match. Kademaunga was briefly held in police custody on attempted murder charges before her case was dropped.
Other individuals, including opposition candidate Patrick Cheza in rural Chirumanzu South and Harare's Deputy Mayor Kudzai Kadzombe, have also faced charges during this period.
"We call on our police for once to be professional. We remain concerned about the seemingly partisan approach taken by the police in arresting members of the opposition while rarely ever arresting those from the Zanu-PF party," Mandinde stated.
He further expressed concerns about the arrests of opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) and questioned the timing of these arrests immediately following elections.
Mandinde highlighted incidents where alleged perpetrators with ties to Zanu-PF were not arrested, while opposition figures faced legal action or harassment. He pointed out that post-election periods are typically meant for people to return to their normal lives, and there should be no need for violence, abductions, arrests, and torture.
In the disputed election, President Mnangagwa was declared the winner with 52.6% of the vote, while CCC President Nelson Chamisa received 44%.
Source - NewZimbabwe
