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Statement on the attempted assassination of NCA National Chairperson, Dr Lovemore Madhuku
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
January 02, 2007

The National Constitutional Assembly is deeply disturbed and strongly condemns the attempted assassination of its National Chairperson, Dr Lovemore Madhuku on the morning of December 31st, 2006 by what NCA suspect to be members of Zimbabwe’s intelligence.

The attack happened at about 0030hrs whilst Dr Madhuku, his family and visiting relatives were sleeping. The assailants laced Dr Madhuku’s house and his car which was parked in a garage attached to the house with gasoline. A thread dipped in gasoline was then drawn from the house to the gate and used to light the house without causing injury to the assailants. The remains of the petrol used was left and shown to police after a police report was made.As NCA we condemn the reluctant nature and arrogant behaviour by police at Waterfalls police station who had no keen interest in coming to the scene of incident. The professionalism with which the act was organized and executed suggests the work of trained military people. Indications show that the intention was to get the car to explode during the burn and if succeeded the plan could easily have passed for an electric fault.

The family was woken up by the rattling of cracking glass and the smoke, only managing to escape ten minutes later with minimal casualty.Dr Madhuku’s children are receiving treatment for chemical pneumonitis post smoke inhalation.

This is the third time the NCA Chairperson has managed to escape suspected state sponsored murders. In 2002, he survived an induced accident after his vehicle’s brakes had been tampered with. Again in 2004, he was abducted, tortured and left for dead near the National Sports Stadium in Harare by members of the police force. In 2003 during one of his several arrests he was warned by one of his jailers that he ‘would die the same way as the late Hebert Chitepo.

The attack comes at a time when the National Constitutional Assembly is mobilizing its supporters and compatriots to defend the future of our country from the effects of the Zanu PF regime’s treasonous machinations of extending President Robert Mugabe’s term of office by a further two years. This affront to the dignity of our nationhood and people will be resisted.

The attack on Dr Madhuku should be seen as an attempt to break the resilience of Zimbabweans in their struggle to build a democratic, free and just society based on a people driven democratic constitution. Brutal campaigns against leaders of our democracy movements are meant to intimidate and cow the multitudes of Zimbabweans forcing them into passive supporters of the government’s repression.

The NCA warns those who are being used to commit these and other attacks on peace loving citizens that history will not forget or forgive them for being used to take away innocent people’s lives. Life is God given and no-one reserves a right to take other people’s lives except for God, the creator. A new people driven constitution is inevitable and it’s the only solution to the ever deepening crisis in the country.As NCA our leadership will not be intimidated by death threats and the attempt on our chairperson’s life will not stop our campaign for new set of laws that will guarantee a democratic Zimbabwe found on respect for human life and dignity amongst other things.

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