Several recent interviews on state television, including one from the previously un-heard-of, one-man organisation Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice, have hinted at the declaration of a State of Emergency. Perhaps by floating this idea, the state hopes to gauge public response.Observers say the declaration of a State of Emergency would legitimise the current campaign of murder, torture and abuse of innocent citizens and have far-reaching consequences, particularly in terms of healing a traumatised nation. Since independence, the Zanu [PF] government built its foundation for rule on violence, typified by the horrendous laws it retained and promulgated.
Despite the physical handover of power, Zanu [PF] excellently imitated the Rhodesia Front [RF], and unleashed the same laws and violence on innocent and defenceless Zimbabweans, said one observer. In fact, Mugabe even made Smith’s laws more draconian.For example, the Indemnity and Compensation Act 45 of 1975, which gave security forces immunity from prosecution if a transgressor could prove their act was committed in “good faith” with the intention of preserving law and order was retained. The leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), the late Joshua Nkomo had this to say:
“Under the terms of the Indemnity Act, which we condemned as barbaric and fascist during the liberation struggle, a citizen has no right of appeal or redress against those who illegally torture, maim, kill destroy property or do any illegal act on him or against him. I am sure you realise that the result of this use of Smith’s laws and torturers has been to create in an independent Zimbabwe a climate of terror and fear even more discriminate than that created by the Smith Regime.”Â
Nkomo said these words after Robert Mugabe re-branded and resurrected this law calling it the “Emergency Powers (Security Forces Indemnity) Regulations 1982 (SI 487/1982), which fell away when the state of Emergency was lifted in 1990″. Under this law, ZIPRA commanders Lookout Masuku and Dumiso Dabengwa, were incarcerated, while many former ZIPRA ex-combatants disappeared and were murdered. Mugabe’s attitude at that time is represented by the utterances of then Minister of Intelligence, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who in April 1983 told a huge forcibly assembled crowd…in a parody of scripture: Blessed are they who will follow the path of the government laws, for their days on earth shall be increased. But woe unto those who will choose the path of collaboration with dissidents for we will certainly shorten their stay on earth.”
Members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), who normally should steer clear of politics, are openly campaigning for Mugabe.For example, Deputy Director General (CIO), Maynard Muzariri and Colonel Douglas Nyikayaramba, both members of the Zanu (PF) commissariat, are cited in the National Police Situational Reports (SITREP) of 6-7 May as having addressed a Zanu (PF)campaign rally at Sadza Business Centre in Wedza, Mashonaland West on 3 May.Nyikayaramba told the 300-strong crowd that “security forces of Zimbabwe have decided to campaign for Zanu (PF) to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.” Muzariri told the people that the security forces would not salute a puppet leader and voting for Morgan Tsvangirai is as good as calling for a war.”
CIO Deputy Director General (Internal) Elias Kanengoni, cited in a Police Internal Sitrep of 4 May as a member of the Zanu (PF) Mazowe Central Campaign team, told a rally at Nzvimbo Council Hall in Bindura, “that the opposition will not rule the country”, and Colonel James Makondore (ZNA) on 4 May told a Zanu (PF) campaign rally at Zvipiripiri Shopping Centre, in Marange that the ” ZNA will not allow Tsvangirai to rule the country even if he wins the election.”   Â
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