|
Back to Index
Statement on Radio Dialogue raid
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
March 01, 2013
Crisis in Zimbabwe
Coalition would like to unreservedly condemn the raid
by Police in Bulawayo of the Ingwe Studios of Radio
Dialogue and the current detention of Radio Dialogue Editor
Zenzele Ndebele. The Coalition contends that the raid on Radio Dialogue
and arrest of Zenzele Ndebele, are a continuation of the Police
campaign to cripple NGOs from doing their work through criminilazing
their efforts, and denting their credibility. The Coalition has
observed with utter consternation, said trend, which has been seen
at least 8 organisation, including ZimRights,
COTRAD
, ZESN,
ZPP,
ERC,
WILD, YIDEZ
and other receiving unwarranted attention, visits and raids by the
Police in January and February of 2013.
The Coalition
sees this attack on Radio Dialogue as a clear sign that in spite
of the impending referendum, and elections later this year, the
country is clearly not ready for elections, and that the Police
instead of focusing their attention on arresting politically motivated
violence, and its perpetrators are busy targeting institutions,
whose only crime is to empower citizens materially and with knowledge
and access to information.
The Crisis in
Zimbabwe Coalition would like to make it unequivocally clear, that
it holds the Inclusive
Government of Zimbabwe responsible and accountable for he current
crack down on Civil Society Organisations and the escalating political
violence by some elements within it. The Coalition challenges those
in the Inclusive government who have claimed that they are not party
to the crackdown and have condemned it, to put their words into
meaningful and discernible actions that result into the halting
of these unwarranted actions.
The Coalition
is surprised that the Police can move swiftly to arrest NGO leaders,
when known murderers and arsonists of the late 12 year old, Christpowers
Simbarashe Maisiri roam in the rural area of Headlands in Manicaland
province, and their principals continue to occupy respectable government
offices and positions.
The Coalition
demands that:
1. Police in
Bulawayo, immediately and unconditionally release Zenzele Dube,
from unjustified and unwarranted incarceration.
2. That the
Government takes concrete steps to stop the Police from harassing
CSOs throughout the country.
3. The police
ceases from implementing Political party resolutions and arresting
NGO leaders and instead focus their attention on apprehending perpetrators
of violence, starting with the arrest of the arsonists and murders
responsible for the death of 12 year old, Christpower Simbarashe
Maisiri.
If the state
continues to be uncooperative on these matters, civil society will
be left with no choice but to be uncooperative with any Inclusive
Government business, starting with the active Boycott and encouraging
fellow Zimbabwe citizens not to participate in the 16 March 2013
referendum. Given the existing circumstances, the Coalition is of
the strong view that there is no way that people can be expected
to exercise free will, choice and participate meaningfully in any
public political processes.
Visit the Crisis
in Zimbabwe fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
