Soldiers opened fire to disperse protesters in Harare
Justice Mangota reserved ruling after hearing the urgent chamber application filed by Alison Charles,
whose brother was shot and killed alongside six other civilians in post-election violence on 1 August 2018.
Charles and the Counselling Services Unit (CSU), who are represented by Advocate Eric Matinenga
instructed by Chris Mhike of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, are challenging the legality of
Mnangagwa’s executive decision to appoint the Commission of Inquiry, its composition and its terms of
reference.
Charles and CSU, who are the applicants have cited President Mnangagwa, former South African leader
Kgalema Motlanthe, who heads the Commission of Inquiry, the Commission of Inquiry, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain
Mathema, Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri, Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe
Republic Police Godwin Matanga, Commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces Philip Sibanda, Attorney
General Prince Machaya, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Professor Charity Manyeruke, Zimbabwe
Human Rights Commission and National Peace and Reconciliation Commission as respondents.
Charles, lost a brother Gavin Dean on 1 August 2018 after he was shot dead by soldiers, who opened fire
on ordinary citizens and opposition political party supporters in Harare during a post-election protest over the mismanagement of the 2018 harmonised elections.