Government will be guided by the outcome of investigations
into alleged abductions of three MDC-Alliance officials and warned against
jumping into conclusions and apportioning blame.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr
Sibusiso Moyo assured the public that the Government was taking the allegations
by the MDC-Alliance officials, Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova and legislator
Joana Mamombe seriously.
“These allegations are particularly grave in that they
involve alleged abuse of the rights of the girl child, a vulnerable group of
our society which this Government is on record as resolutely promoting and
protecting.
“While the relevant agencies of the State are fully seized
with the matter and are already investigating all aspects of the allegations
made by the three ladies in question — including the circumstances surrounding
the unauthorised staging of a demonstration during the national lockdown, in
deliberate violation of the SI 77 of 2020 it is most disconcerting to note some
sections of the media and some within the diplomatic community appear to have
already concluded that the Zimbabwean Government was responsible for the
alleged abuse,” said Minister Moyo.
“Surely they would better serve the cause of justice by
allowing the law to take its course and to await the outcome of the
investigation rather than jump to conclusions or wantonly ascribe culpability.”
Minister Moyo said while it would refrain from making conclusions,
the allegations made by the women had some indications of an involvement of a
possible third force.
He said the coincidence of staging the demonstration with
regional and international events such as Sadc Troika summit held last week in
Harare and impending Sadc Council of Ministers virtual meeting also raised
eyebrows.
“Although Government has refrained from drawing its own
hasty conclusions, it is difficult to ignore the glaring similarities which
exist between this recent alleged incident and several such allegations in the
past, which have all borne similar hallmarks of stage-managed theatre designed
to soil the image of the Government and indeed the nation and to divert
attention from the ongoing implosion and ever-shifting allegiances within some
political formations in the opposition,” said Minister Moyo.
“As has been the case with past alleged abductions, the
current dramatic episode just happened to coincide with major international and
regional events — the convening of the Sadc Troika summit and the presence in
Harare of several regional Heads of State and the impending Sadc Council
Ministers virtual meeting.
“Government will, however, await the outcome of the
investigation before drawing any conclusions. Investigations will be conducted
with the prime objective of exposing the involvement of a possible third
force.”
Minister Moyo said Government was fully committed to its
obligation to protect the human rights and dignity of all its citizens,
irrespective of gender, race or political affiliation.
He gave example of six police officers who had already been
arrested in Bulawayo in connection with the alleged assault of Nokuthula and
Ntombizodwa Mpofu and have already appeared in court.
Minister Moyo said Government was commitment to Article 10
of the Protocol of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the
Rights of Women in Africa and to the peaceful settlement of all forms of
disputes, political or economic and to international engagement and
re-engagement based on the sovereignty equality of all nations. Herald
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