- Politician Mmusi Maimane has called for a démarche against Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa David Hamadziripi.
- This amid growing reports of alleged human rights violations in the country.
- He added President Cyril Ramaphosa, as African Union chairperson, has failed to promote its mandate to promote and protect human rights on the continent.
Former DA leader and One South Africa founder Mmusi Maimane has written to International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor calling for her to issue a démarche against Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa David Hamadziripi.
In a letter he posted on Twitter, Maimane said the purpose of the political initiative should be to demand a full explanation of the human rights crisis facing Zimbabwe and a commitment to end the atrocities.
This amid growing reports of alleged human rights violations in the country, prompting the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter social movement, which aims to bring the issue to the forefront.Several Zimbabwean journalists and activists have been arrested, allegedly abducted or beaten in recent weeks after they either spoke out against alleged corruption, or were critical of the Zanu-PF-led government.
Among those targeted was prominent Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who is still in police custody after his recent arrest in his home country’s capital of Harare on 20 July.
Bagaetsho, I have written to the Ministry of Interbational relations for them to get an explanation from the Zim government. We need to stop Hunan rights abuses by anyone. We can’t allow these liberators to become dictators. We shall always cherish freedom pic.twitter.com/m1SgdUrOKi
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) August 4, 2020
The 49-year-old is accused of inciting Zimbabweans to join a planned anti-government protest during the coronavirus outbreak, News24 previously reported.
“Disturbing reports of violence, intimidation, torture and detention without trial being carried out by the Zimbabwean government against citizens, journalists and opposition voices cannot go unchallenged.”
Maimane said as the leader in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa could not turn a blind eye, adding quiet diplomacy allowed injustices to continue unabated.
Zimbabwe on the edge
EFF leader, Julius Malema, is calling for the closure of the Zimbabwean embassy in South Africa. He tweeted his call using the trending #ZimbabweanLivesMatter. Kumbirai Mafunda from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights says the situation is very worr…
He said President Cyril Ramaphosa, as African Union chairperson, had failed to promote its mandate to promote and protect human rights on the continent.
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Maimane’s letter comes after the EFF condemned the action of the Zimbabwean government, calling for tangible interventions and the removal of the Zimbabwean embassy in the country.