Following the arrest and subsequent dismissal of charges against 8 Mthwakazi youths who demonstrated against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s role in Gukurahundi, civil society groups have called on the President to stop using the military to arrest people.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition spokesperson Tabani Moyo said:
We note that the military have no arresting powers and wish to express our concern at the continued militarization of the state. The army officials’ actions are a violation of the rights enshrined in the constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and gives citizens the right to petition and hold public officials accountable.
We urge the president to take note of the legitimate grievances by the youths and institute remedial actions towards genuine transitional justice and reconciliation. These are issues of national importance that require a lasting solution rather than knee-jerk responses through state repressive machinery.
More: New Zimbabwe