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Minister Patrick Chinamasa must apologise for issuing out threats
Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) and Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-Southern Africa)
May 18, 2007

Whilst attending the 41st Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) and the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-Southern Africa) witnessed unfortunate incidents in which the Zimbabwean Minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Minister Patrick Chinamasa insulted Zimbabwean human rights activists and a retired judge of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Mr Michael Majuru. ZEF and ACT-Southern Africa is calling upon the Minister to publicly apologise to the injured Zimbabweans activists and the Honourable Commission.

On the 18th day of May 2007, the Minister used derogatory, abusive and contemptuous utterances against Mr Majuru and other human rights defenders from Zimbabwe. The incident was witnessed by the Zimbabwean Ambassador in Ghana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr David Mangota, senior dignitaries of the African Commission and other countries as well as members of Civil Society Organisations. The Minister labelled the former judge 'scam', 'skunk', 'rubbish" among other insults. He also publicly said that he is the one who offered him a job as a judge and he feels 'betrayed' since the former judge decided not to agree with his government's ideology.

Also while on Radio Gold, the Minister also lashed out at Gabriel Shumba, the Executive Director of ZEF. He accused him and other Zimbabwean human rights activists and organizations of working towards regime change in Zimbabwe and issued many threats. We are of the view that these threats by the Minister are calculated to intimidate human rights organizations and to instill fear and insecurity into the persons concerned and the organizations they represent.

Mr Shumba and Mr Majuru are complainants against the Government of Zimbabwe in Communications that are being heard by the Commission at this 41st session.

We therefore genuinely fear for the safety of those going back to Zimbabwe and urge the Minister to publicly apologise to the African Commission and all those who were affected by his dishonorable, unbecoming and highly unprofessional conduct.

For comments about this Press Release, contact Mr Gabriel Shumba, the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (Use 024 970 49 24, the Ghana mobile. Use it on or before the 23rd of May 2007).

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