The MDC, which says about 200 of its supporters were killed in
political violence allegedly committed by activists of President Robert
Mugabe's ZANU PF party and state security agents, initially indicated
last month that it would table the motion before deciding against it
last week fearing such a move could poison relations within the new
unity government.
Tabling the motion is certain to heighten tensions in the fragile
government while unsettling many in the military establishment who are
accused of having masterminded violence against the MDC.
But MDC legislator for Nyanga North constituency Douglas Mwonzora, who
will table the motion in Parliament, said the move was necessary
because of fresh political violence in Manicaland province under which
his constituency falls and farm invasions that have rocked parts of the
country.
I will be tabling the motion sometime this week, Mwonzora said. We
have noted that there is a resurgence of violence especially in
Manicaland province. My supporters are under attack from ZANU PF
people. So what we are saying is that violence is still rearing its
ugly head despite the inclusive government.
ZANU PF chief whip Jorum Gumbo was not immediately available for
comment on the matter that is certain to bring to the fore the
sensitive and divisive issue of how to achieve national healing while
ensuring those who violated human rights are brought to justice
following formation of the unity government.
While Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, who heads a smaller
formation of the MDC, managed to reach agreement on how to share power
they have not yet resolved the issue of what to do with those mostly in
the security forces and war veterans accused of committing human rights
abuses and other crimes.
A committee of senior ministers drawn up from ZANU PF and the two MDC
formations to promote national healing and reconciliation has not said
how exactly it intends to go about the process.
Military commanders and hardliners in ZANU PF who are believed to have
been behind violence in the run-up to the June vote are known to be
opposed to the unity government in part because they fear the new
administration could dilute their power and ultimately lead to their
arraignment before the courts on charges of abusing human rights.
Speculation is rife within political circles in Harare that the
military generals and ZANU PF hardliners were behind the new incidents
of political violence and the farm invasions in a bid to derail the
unity government.
ZimOnline.
Post published in: News