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Mnangagwa exhibits unprofessionalism
Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC)
June
12, 2012
The MDC views threats by Defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa that
he will send army generals to Honourable Biti's office as
unprofessional and a serious threat on the Finance Minister's
life.
Mnangagwa threatened
Hon Biti during the Council of Ministers last week. Zimbabwean securocrats
have openly declared their allegiance to Zanu PF and their threats
to confront Minister Biti is nothing but political. In recent days,
those who have acted contrary to the laws of the land which stipulate
that security forces should be apolitical include Douglas Nyikayaramba,
Martin Chedondo and Trust Mugova, all major generals in the army.
Mnangagwa's comments
are also in sync with the violent nature of Zanu PF and serves no
purpose other than inciting violence against the minister. In the
past, we have witnessed human rights violations perpetrated on members
of the MDC, civic society and ordinary people by the former ruling
party with the aid of State security agents. This is more pronounced
as the nation prepares for elections. This must stop.
The statement
by the Defence minister is in bad taste as it comes barely two weeks
after the murder of Cephas
Magura, MDC Mudzi North chairman by Zanu PF thugs. The country has
already started recording an increase in cases of politically-motivated
violence and we must rely on the likes of Mnangagwa, as senior a
government official to denounce unruly behavior.
Human rights violations
should never be tolerated in a civilized society, more so when they
are perpetrated on civilians by soldiers. Therefore, intimidation
of any member of the society by soldiers should be strongly condemned.
Mnangagwa's
utterances disregard the call
by the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, Navanethem Pillay
to end violations when she visited the country last month. The UN
envoy's statement was supported by SADC at the just-ended
summit when
the regional body directed that violence be stemmed before elections
are held in the country so as to, among other things guarantee the
secrecy of the voter as well as the security of the vote and voter.
Minister Biti is on record
saying he will increase civil servants' salaries if diamond
revenue improves. Threats will not produce the money from Hon Biti
as there is no such money in the Treasury.
In his March 2012 report, Minister Biti revealed that the Ministry
of Finance is yet to receive a cent from Zimbabwe's largest
diamond mining company. But for Mnangagwa to demand $2,5 million
for the employment of 5000 more soldiers at a time the majority
of those who are already in service are getting less than the poverty
datum line is irresponsible.
Mnangagwa should know
better where money from Anjin is going as the mining giant is staffed
by former security personnel of all ranks. There are even fears
that proceeds from Anjin's activities in Chiadzwa are being
used to finance a parallel government in the country.
We urge Mnangagwa
and all securocrats to respect Hon Biti and his office. Failure
to do so means that they are failing to recognize the Global
Political Agreement signed by the three principals which resulted
in Minister Biti and others occupying their offices. The Defence
minister must know that there are other means of solving challenges
other than by threats and intimidation.
The MDC is a people-driven
party which takes Zimbabweans' interest seriously and would
do everything possible to make sure that the lives of civil servants
and ordinary citizens improve.
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