News / National
Chamisa aligned US embassy tells Mnangagwa to stop lawfare
20 Sep 2023 at 15:02hrs | Views
The United States Embassy in Zimbabwe has voiced its apprehension regarding ongoing reports of politically motivated violence and intimidation in the wake of the contested Harmonised Elections of 23 August 2023.
Taking to the platform X, the Embassy also issued a plea to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration to halt the practice known as "lawfare," which involves the manipulation of legal mechanisms to create difficulties for political adversaries. The statement from the U.S. Embassy emphasized the importance of every individual, regardless of their political allegiance, enjoying the right to live without fear and receiving equitable treatment under the law. They underscored this message with the hashtag #StopLawfare.
Responding to the U.S. Embassy's statement, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, using the online handle dhonzamusoro007, expressed deep concern about alleged pre-election harassment of Donald Trump, a candidate in America's upcoming elections, and the use of U.S. law as a weapon by the Biden Administration against Trump and other Republicans. He called for a level playing field before, during, and after the U.S. elections scheduled for the following year, emphasizing the need for elections that are devoid of lawfare. Charamba also appealed to international actors, including the African Union, Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran, among others, for their attention to this matter.
Meanwhile, a number of members of the opposition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) party have faced arrests on what critics consider fabricated charges, with some experiencing abduction and torture.
Most recently, CCC deputy spokesman Gift Siziba, Harare deputy mayor Kudzai Kadzombe, and Sunningdale MP Maureen Kademaunga were apprehended on various charges, only to have these charges dropped within 48 hours.
Additionally, CCC activists Womberaishe Nhende and Sonele Mukhuhlani alleged that they were abducted, subjected to torture, and drugged on Saturday, 02 September, by individuals they believed to be state agents. Subsequently, their legal representatives, Tapiwa Muchineripi and Douglas Coltart of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, were arrested and accused of obstructing or impeding the course of justice.
Taking to the platform X, the Embassy also issued a plea to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration to halt the practice known as "lawfare," which involves the manipulation of legal mechanisms to create difficulties for political adversaries. The statement from the U.S. Embassy emphasized the importance of every individual, regardless of their political allegiance, enjoying the right to live without fear and receiving equitable treatment under the law. They underscored this message with the hashtag #StopLawfare.
Responding to the U.S. Embassy's statement, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, using the online handle dhonzamusoro007, expressed deep concern about alleged pre-election harassment of Donald Trump, a candidate in America's upcoming elections, and the use of U.S. law as a weapon by the Biden Administration against Trump and other Republicans. He called for a level playing field before, during, and after the U.S. elections scheduled for the following year, emphasizing the need for elections that are devoid of lawfare. Charamba also appealed to international actors, including the African Union, Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran, among others, for their attention to this matter.
Most recently, CCC deputy spokesman Gift Siziba, Harare deputy mayor Kudzai Kadzombe, and Sunningdale MP Maureen Kademaunga were apprehended on various charges, only to have these charges dropped within 48 hours.
Additionally, CCC activists Womberaishe Nhende and Sonele Mukhuhlani alleged that they were abducted, subjected to torture, and drugged on Saturday, 02 September, by individuals they believed to be state agents. Subsequently, their legal representatives, Tapiwa Muchineripi and Douglas Coltart of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, were arrested and accused of obstructing or impeding the course of justice.
Source - pindula
