HARARE – With almost as much indecent haste as he inaugurated himself as president, against the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe, the leader of military junta, Robert Mugabe, has declared a blanket amnesty that will free hundreds of Zanu (PF) thugs who may have been convicted for state-sanctioned violence in the aftermath of the March 27 elections.
General Notice 85A/2008 – Clemency Order No. 1 of 2008 covers the violent period before and after the March 29 poll, up to June 16, 11 days before the fraudulent presidential runoff election last Friday.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said there seemed to be selective application
for political prisoners. Hundreds of MDC supporters, who dared to defend themselves against attack by the militias and were arrested and thrown into prison, have not qualified for the amnesty under as yet unclear circumstances.
Civic groups have also condemned the move, saying it was further evidence of the junta’s rejection of the rule of law. More than 100 MDC members have been killed in the attacks, 500 are missing, and more than 200,000 have been driven from their homes. 20,000 homes have been burnt down. Thousands of others have been raped and brutalised, and the violence continues.
Political prisoners such as WOZA leaders Jenny Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, and newly-elected MDC MP, advocate Eric Matinenga, remain incarcerated – accused of breaching the peace, denied bail for more than five weeks despite the fact that their crime is normally punishable by a fine – if convicted.
The police routinely do not react in cases of Zanu (PF) thugs attacking MDC supporters. They always respond if MDC members try to repel such attacks.
A prison officer at Chikurubi Maximum Prison said there were specific orders that MDC prisoners do not qualify for the amnesty.
But former Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa denied the pardon was meant for Zanu (PF) supporters only saying the amnesty, set to see a total 4,998 prisoners released, was aimed at easing overcrowding in jails.
Throughout his nearly 30-year reign, Mugabe has routinely pardoned politically motivated acts of violence perpetrated country-wide by his supporters in the lead up and aftermath of elections – which have always been characterised by state-sponsored terror against perceived opponents.
This is despite hollow assurances before every election by the police commissioner that his force would not tolerate political violence. The routine pardons make a mockery of this, ensuring that Zanu (PF) militias understand that they will not be punished for obeying instructions to kill and maim the opposition.
Post published in: News