Justice

Zimbabwe Crisis – CWS Update Apr 2007

By Pauline Bellam / 4 April 2007

Zimbabwe : ZCC On The Unfolding Events

“The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) notes with dismay the escalation of politically motivated violence countrywide that has been witnessed in the past few days especially in the Machipisa area of Highfields. This orgy of violence which can be attributed to the ban on political gatherings in Harare Metropolitan Province is provoking this ugly face of violence in the provinces, especially at this strategic moment when political parties are preparing for the 2008 Presidential Election as per our constitution. We feel that the police should have engaged all stakeholders, as provided by Section 27(2)b of the Public Order And Security Act, before deciding on the ban.

“ZCC also notes with concern the statements being made by the police that they will resort to maximum force (when tenets of the law say minimum force) whenever the ban has been defied – this is another provoking factor. As ZCC we do not condone violence by whoever, and we strongly condemn the brutality by the police in the handling of the Sunday 11 March 2007 incident; the shooting to death of the 17 year old boy – thereby further provoking other supporters and at the same time instilling fear among the civilians; the brutal treatment of the opposition leaders and their supporters whilst in the hands of the police leading to their serious injuries; the petrol bombing and subsequent injury of the police officers; the harassment of innocent mourners coming from the cemetery; the damage to property.

“If this state of affairs continues, we foresee a situation that will degenerate into civil unrest where there will be a lot of bloodshed. We also note with serious concern that criminal elements will manipulate the situation to carry out criminal activities under the guise of political activity. We therefore, call upon the police to refrain from the use of brutality when dealing with violent situations, the government to consider uplifting the ban on political gatherings, as this will continue to provoke acts of violence, the opposition to urge its supporters to refrain from being violent and the media to be objective when covering such incidents.

“The church believes in non violence and it is our hope that all stakeholders should resort to non violent acts when carrying out their political activities. Even Jesus as He was facing death did not believe in violence (Luke 22 vs. 49 – 51). We therefore, recommend that all stakeholders engage in dialogue, and that police should restrict themselves to their duties of arresting suspects and investigating all criminal activities and not usurp the powers of the courts of punishing convicted offenders.”