ACTIVIST CALLS ON SA TO CONDEMN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ZIMBABWE

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa has been called to reflect on its values amid mounting criticism that the country has not done enough to condemn alleged human rights violations in Zimbabwe.

Scores of protesters in Harare have been met with violence while trying to draw attention to the country’s economic challenges.

A man and a woman hold placards during an anti-corruption protest march along Borrowdale road, on 31 July 2020 in Harare. Picture: AFP

Scores of protesters in Harare have been met with violence while trying to draw attention to the country’s economic challenges.

In various footage shared widely on social media, Zimbabwean security forces could be seen giving a heavy-handed response with south africa coming under fire for its silence over the matter.

From prominent political figures to ordinary citizens, thousands of people across the world have strongly condemned the Zimbabwe government’s response to protesters.

Running battles between police and demonstrators in Harare have sometimes ended in bloodshed, with unarmed citizens brutally beaten.

Fadzayi Mahere is a lawyer and activist in the country and was arrested during the protests.

She said the silence from nations like South Africa had cast doubt about whether these governments cared about their fellow Africans.

“Do African lives matter to African leaders? The AU has said this is the year of silencing the gun. The test of whether they mean that or not is their response to Zimbabwe.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the unrest was caused by “rogue Zimbabweans” working with foreign detractors.

Mahere has slammed the country’s response as a “bankruptcy of thought” and “a real tragedy”.

Post published in: Featured

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *