NO citizen has a right to violate the law and expect full
protection from the Constitution, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President Mr
George Charamba has said.
In an interview with Capitalk 100.4 FM radio station
yesterday on various issues including the recent violent demonstrations
instigated by the MDC-Alliance and civil society allies, which saw lives lost
and property destroyed in Harare and other cities Mr Charamba said the
Constitution must be understood well.
“(When) citizens challenge the authority of State, take law
into their own hands, causing mayhem and destruction in the country and even
going as far as attacking police stations — which are symbols of the
administration — it means you are literally challenging, wrestling weapons of
war, from serving members of the police (and) army.
“It is clear you are no longer dealing with a sheer
expression of disgruntlement. You are dealing with a potential threat to law
and order and stability in the country,” he said.
Mr Charamba said there was a difference between enjoying a
right and violating the law.
“Yes, the Constitution does give us certain basic
liberties; certain rights which we must enjoy and enjoy to the fullest . . .
That is a democratic principle, but here is the news for you guys: there is a
difference between expressing disgruntlement and taking the law into your
hands,” said Mr Charamba.
“British people are not happy with the (Theresa) May’s
government over Brexit, but I have not read anywhere whey they have tried to
stop the traffic of commerce. Americans are not happy with the (Donald) Trump
administration. It’s on shutdown (right now), but Lady Liberty has not been
pelted with stones.
Zimbabweans must not equate demonstrations to violence or
equate demonstrations with challenging the authority of the State. We are
drifting in an uncharted territory where the fittest survive,” he explained.
Mr Charamba said once the demonstrators became violent,
Government knew who it was dealing with it.
“Government will use a set of mix of measures, which are
appropriate to the situation and given those symbolic gestures by way of
attacking police stations, trying to wrestle arms of war, we knew basically
that we were dealing with a determined demonstrator who was out to redraw the
results of the July 30 election and once that happens it means the State will
have to react in a very forceful way,” he said.
Mr Charamba said enjoyment of rights must be within the
confines of the law.
“Law enforcement is not a science, when we claim our rights
we should do so within the confines of the law. We must not get to a situation
where rights get weaponised. There are rights granted by the Constitution,
freedom of association, freedom to demonstrate, challenging the state,” he
said.
“We should regret loss of life. We should regret those
innocent persons who were caught in the mayhem, but above all we must ensure
that we inculcate a sense of law and order in the country. You infringe the
laws, the law comes heavily down on you.” Herald
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