News / National
Mugabe threatened over Dzamara
16 Mar 2015 at 21:05hrs | Views
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe are threatening to lobby for the dethronement of President Robert Mugabe from both his Africa Union and Sadc chairmanship posts unless government brings back "abducted" political activist Itai Dzamara.
In a statement issued last week, the 83-member organisation laid the blame for the disappearance of Dzamara, 36, on Mugabe's government.
"If the government fails to bring Itai Dzamara back immediately, civil society will lobby Sadc and AU to remove President Robert Mugabe from chairing those institutions."
"Civil society has every reason to think that the State is complacent with such abductions as shown by the abduction and disappearance of human rights defender, Jestina Mukoko, in December 2008 who was eventually brought to Matapi Police Station in Mbare after 21 days and her perpetrators never apprehended," read the statement.
In their petition to government, the civil societies doubted assurances from the police and acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa, that the state was seized with locating the journalist-turned-political activist, who has been missing since Monday last week.
The CSOs said relevant authorities must arrest and prosecute those responsible for such actions to protect all Zimbabweans regardless of political persuasions.
Dzamara, an acrid critic of Mugabe, was abducted last week allegedly by five men driving an Isuzu vehicle in the high density suburb of Glen View.
He has been leading the Occupy Africa Unity Square campaign and has had brushed with the law in the past as he campaigned for 91-year-old Mugabe to step down citing the economic malaise among other government failures.
"We call upon the government to address the worsening socio-economic challenges in the country, of which such protest actions are a symptom, and ensure peace and stability instead of ruthlessly victimising activists who are dissenting and pointing out the government's failure in uplifting people's lives," read the CSO statement.
Dzamara's family, the international community, and opposition parties have been piling pressure on government to locate the political activist, and the High Court last week also ordered police to find him.
Those present when he was abducted by the unidentified men who were travelling in a white twin cab vehicle with a blurred registration number plate, say he was accused of stealing a beast.
Since his disappearance, his mobile phone has been switched off and he has not been in contact with his family and lawyers.
In a statement issued last week, the 83-member organisation laid the blame for the disappearance of Dzamara, 36, on Mugabe's government.
"If the government fails to bring Itai Dzamara back immediately, civil society will lobby Sadc and AU to remove President Robert Mugabe from chairing those institutions."
"Civil society has every reason to think that the State is complacent with such abductions as shown by the abduction and disappearance of human rights defender, Jestina Mukoko, in December 2008 who was eventually brought to Matapi Police Station in Mbare after 21 days and her perpetrators never apprehended," read the statement.
In their petition to government, the civil societies doubted assurances from the police and acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa, that the state was seized with locating the journalist-turned-political activist, who has been missing since Monday last week.
The CSOs said relevant authorities must arrest and prosecute those responsible for such actions to protect all Zimbabweans regardless of political persuasions.
Dzamara, an acrid critic of Mugabe, was abducted last week allegedly by five men driving an Isuzu vehicle in the high density suburb of Glen View.
He has been leading the Occupy Africa Unity Square campaign and has had brushed with the law in the past as he campaigned for 91-year-old Mugabe to step down citing the economic malaise among other government failures.
"We call upon the government to address the worsening socio-economic challenges in the country, of which such protest actions are a symptom, and ensure peace and stability instead of ruthlessly victimising activists who are dissenting and pointing out the government's failure in uplifting people's lives," read the CSO statement.
Dzamara's family, the international community, and opposition parties have been piling pressure on government to locate the political activist, and the High Court last week also ordered police to find him.
Those present when he was abducted by the unidentified men who were travelling in a white twin cab vehicle with a blurred registration number plate, say he was accused of stealing a beast.
Since his disappearance, his mobile phone has been switched off and he has not been in contact with his family and lawyers.
Source - dailynews
