Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition (CIZC) would like to register its collective displeasure at the manner in which the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has been responding to public demonstrations in the last few weeks.
The brutally exhibited by the police in crushing demonstrations by the Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) over the late payment of salaries for civil servants were uncalled for and we view them as a calculated assault on civil liberties .As if this was not enough, the police went on to crush a demonstration by touts in Chitungwiza .
The demonstrators were merely trying to exercise their constitutional rights enshrined in the country’s supreme charter .Importantly, Section 59 of the constitution grants citizens the right to demonstrate and peacefully present petitions .Section 67 [d] endows citizens with the right to participate individually or collectively in gatherings or groups or in any other manner, in peaceful activities to influence ,challenge or support the policies of the government .
We call upon the government to urgently address the bread and butter issues which have caused these Zimbabwean citizens to take to the streets .These issues include the late payment of civil servants salaries , the escalating cost of living and the general harsh economic conditions which have reduced most Zimbabweans to paupers .
The Coalition is deeply concerned about the deteriorating economic situation and calls for the government to put in place measures to ensure that the country in investor friendly .The high handed actions of the police actually militate against investor confidence .
We also note with concern the arrest of Newsday Journalists Nqaba Matshazi and Xolisani Ncube on charges of contravening section 31 of the Criminal Law [Codification and Reform Act ] .Freedom of the media is enshrined in section 61[2] of the constitution which also protects sources of journalists’ information .
This trend of repression has grown alarmingly over the past two months as evidenced by the arrest of Pastor Patrick Mugadza for holding a one man demonstration against government economic failures, the arrest of teachers for protesting against failure of government to pay salaries, the arrest of the journalists and the crushing of the demonstration by touts all within three months are indicative of brutal and calculated assault on civil liberties.
