By Rudo Saungweme
Government has expressed dissatisfaction over the Joint Local Statement issued yesterday by the Heads of Delegation of the European Union stating that the Mission’s statement fails to acknowledge that the High Court made a well-considered judgement on the legality of the demonstrations by the opposition MDC-Alliance.
In his response to the Mission Statement, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndabaningi Mangwana stated in a press statement that it is very disappointing to note that the EU statement ignored the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has taken note of the Joint Local Statement issued on August 20, 2019, by the Heads of Delegation of the European Union, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom together with Heads of Mission of the United States, Canada and Australia (Missions) on human rights and freedom of assembly in Zimbabwe opposition on 16 August 2019,” he said.
Mangwana said that the Prohibition order and the High Court order decision that upheld it was to render all activities associated with the demonstration.
“The statement by the Missions fails to acknowledge that the High Court made a well-considered judgement on the legality of the demonstrations by the opposition MDC-Alliance after the Zimbabwe Republic Police as the Regulatory Authority effect of both the Prohibition Order and the High Court decision that upheld it was to render any and all activities associated with the planned demonstrations by MDC-Alliance on August 16, 2019 illegal,” said Mangwana.
Mangwana highlighted that Zimbabwe`s judiciary sits as the arbiter in situations of conflict, and in this case mediating between a Regulatory Authority and constitutional freedoms of citizens in the face of a potentially violent and destabilizing demonstration.
He has also pleaded with these countries to exercise impartiality and to stop interfering with the internal affairs of Zimbabwe.
“Government of Zimbabwe expects those countries committed to supporting the freedom of expression, association and assembly seen as facets for a politically stable, economic stable and prosperous Zimbabwe to exercise impartiality and not to unduly interfere in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe in a way that promotes unrest and public disorder unless they harbour an ulterior motive,” said Mangwana.
For years, the US Government and its allies have been working closely with the opposition party, the MDC to propel its motive of a regime change agenda in Zimbabwe.
In a recent development, the US Ambassador to Harare, Brian Nichols visited MDC vice National Chairperson, Job Sikhala at his home in Chitungwiza to encourage him to do more mischief on these planned demonstrations meant to remove President Emmerson Mnangagwa from power.
