Deliberate failure by ZRP to carry out its constitutional duty
24 April 2008
For The Attention of Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri
Dear Sir
RE: DELIBERATE FAILURE BY POLICE TO CARRY OUT ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY AND SELECTIVE ARRESTS AND PROSECUTION OF MEMBERS OF THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE
In the run up to the harmonised elections, the Zimbabwe Republic Police addressed meetings around the country calling for peace in the run up, during and after the elections.
To a large extent, these meetings had the desired effect in the run up and during the elections. Relative peace was maintained. The Police should be commended for the fine effort. Alas, the post election period has witnessed violence of no mean proportion amounting to a humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.
The Police have turned a blind eye to the violence perpetrated on a defenceless population by the Zimbabwe Defence forces and Zanu (PF) youth and militia.
We have it on good record that you have ordered members of the Police not to interfere in the orgy of violence perpetrated on the civilian population. It is clear that members of the Zimbabwe Defence forces and Zanu (PF) youth and militia are immune from arrest and persecution despite their brazen unlawful conduct.
Your conduct is in clear violation of the constitution which obliges the Police, in terms of section 93 thereof, to preserve the internal security of Zimbabwe and maintain law and order therein. You are ultimately responsible and liable for the failure in carrying out this constitutional responsibility.
We hereby demand that you order the Police to carry out their duties in accordance with the constitution of Zimbabwe and without fear or favour. In particular, we demand that members of the Zimbabwe defence forces and Zanu (PF) youth and militia who have offended against the law be brought to book.
It is sad that the people who are being arrested, members of the Movement for Democratic Change, are victims not perpetrators of the violence.
We look forward to the immediate restoration of the Civilian authority by the Police in Zimbabwe as a people’s force not an organ of Zanu (PF).
Yours faithfully,
Hon Tendai Biti, MP, MDC Secretary General
Unlawful Deployment of Units of Zimbabwe Defence
24th April 2008 Â
For the Personal Attention of General Constantine Chiwenga
Ref: Unlawful Deployment of Units of Zimbabwe Defence
Section 96 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for defence forces for the purpose of defending Zimbabwe.
We note with concern the active and extensive deployment of units of the defence forces in the whole country, particularly the rural areas in the aftermath of the harmonised elections (whose presidential result is still awaited).
There is no internal danger posed to the security of Zimbabwe necessitating the deployment. Such deployment is not in support of civilian authority, but is meant to subvert and subjugate the will of the people.
We are in receipt of detailed reports of incidences of harassment, assault, torture, murder, burning of homesteads perpetrated by units of defence forces or Zanu (PF) militia, commanded, and led by the said units. This inhuman and unmilitary behaviour is punishment for the people having exercised their democratic right to vote for the candidate of their choice as President – Morgan Tsvangirai.
During the orgy of violence people are brazenly told they should vote for Robert Mugabe in the presidential run-off (although results are not yet announced).
The conduct of the defence forces against their own innocent fathers and mothers is a callous and contemptuous disregard for their democratic right to choose a leader of their choice and a clear breach of your constitutional office. As Commander, Zimbabwe Defence Forces, you are personally and constitutionally liable for the mayhem occasioned by the unlawful deployment.
Normal civilian life has seriously been disrupted. Zimbabwe faces a humanitarian crisis on account of your serious constitutional breaches. The Zimbabwe Defence Forces has become terror units, not defenders of Zimbabwe.
We demand that you immediately rescind the unlawful deployment with the consequent result that all units of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces return to barracks.
Yours faithfully,
Hon Tendai Biti MP, MDC Secretary General
CC: Commander of Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant V. Sibanda
Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshall P. Shiri
US fire-fighting diplomat arrives to lobby regional heads
BY CHIEF REPORTER
HARARE
US President George Bush has sent one of his most hardened diplomatic fire-fighters to deal with the Zimbabwe post-election stalemate.
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, began work in Pretoria on Thursday following an intense US lobby that resulted in the recall of a weapons ship destined for Zimbabwe.
The Bush administration intervened with governments in southern Africa to prevent a Chinese ship carrying weapons for Zimbabwe security forces from unloading its cargo.
Frazer’s visit underscores US concerns about threats now posed by Mugabe’s junta to regional peace and is also aimed at persuading Zimbabwe’s neighbours to step up pressure on him.
Frazer’s trip is also aimed at rallying support for action from SADC members, whose leaders met in a mid-April summit on Zimbabwe but could agree only on a weak declaration that failed to criticize the absent Mugabe, officials said.
Mugabe’s junta has been condemned by the US and other nations for its crackdown on the opposition.
Frazer would not be drawn on her approach to Zimbabwe this week and emphasised that she would be liaising with regional leaders – including South Africa -in diffusing the post-election tension in Zimbabwe and making sure the will of the people is respected.
Frazer is considered an expert in handling volatile diplomatic situations and is credited for carefully crafting a plan to resolve the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Frazer is Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice’s deputy and is an International Affairs Fellow at the foreign policy think-tank, the Council on Foreign Relations. She has advised the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and the US National Security Council.
She cut her teeth in the Bush administration in 2001, after joining the National Security Council. In 2004 she served as US ambassador to South Africa, returning to New York the following year, to assume her current position.
On Thursday she slammed Mugabe for clinging to power despite clear evidence that he had lost the poll.
This is a government that is essentially rejecting the will of the people, Frazer said in Pretoria Thursday. If they had voted for Mugabe we would have the results. As far as we know in the first round Morgan won and people voted for change.
Post published in: News