By Gift Mashoko

The findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the August 1 incidents which led to the death of six people and injury of 35 others, have been well received by many who said they were balanced and fair.

Writing on his twitter handle, the MDC-T Vice President, Senator Obert Gutu tweeted, “I have just perused the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry's 128 page report. It comes across as very balanced and well-packaged. As Zimbabweans, we should take up the recommendations contained therein and make our country a better place for us all.”

Political commentator and activist, Jones Musara said that the findings heaped blame on the MDC. He added that justice must prevail.

“Critical analysis of the Commission of Inquiry Report into 1 August 2018 political violence shows that ultimately the blame for the violence goes to the MDC Alliance especially its leaders. Justice means punishment of the culprits, compensation to the victims!

“Given that some of the MDC Alliance rioters on 1 August 2018 were armed with guns and fired into the crowd and also that violence is in the MDC Alliance DNA, it is no surprise that the Commission of Inquiry Report found them guilty of complicity in the violence,” Musara said.

During an interview on SABC News recently, SABC Foreign Editor, Sophie Mokoena said the report was clear that the protests were pre-planned because they didn’t just happen in Harare. She also said that she had personally observed that indeed the protests were pre-planned.

A journalist from ENCA, Aldrin Sampear highlighted that the time given by the Zimbabwean Constitution to announce the presidential election results to the nation was too long, but MDC had long said they would never allow a defeat.

“The Constitution allows for the election results to be released 24hrs after the election. What the Constitution also says is that they can also be released within five days. The Commission’s report says that, that’s too long because when you have that lull, this is when the political leaders come in and give misinformation and that exactly what happened this time around.

“What we should not forget is that even if the results were announced immediately, I still believe you would have seen the protests you saw in the CBD of Harare because there was the tension and the commission was right because even before the elections, there were calls from the MDC Alliance leaders and they made it clear that the MDC will not accept anything but a victory,” he said.

The report highlighted that there is urgent need to give medical support to all those who were  injured, such as Simon Chipokosa who still has a bullet lodged in his leg and Adian Mujere who requires physio therapy for his hand.

Speaking to ZiFM radio station soon after the release of the findings, Adian Mujere said he was happy with Government’s effort to facilitate and help them in getting the required treatment. Considering that medical treatment was very expensive, he said Government’s intervention was welcome. He said that what happened was an accident but he was happy with this development.