By Zivanai Dhewa
The Zimbabwean Clergy and some political analysts have condemned the call by a South African (SA) opposition party, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), to table Zimbabwe for debate in their SA Parliament for human rights violations.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament Honourable Thandi Modise, the ATM requested for a debate on Zimbabwe following the failure of the much publicised #31July2020 demonstrations.
“In light of the recent harsh realities of military police brutality experienced by Zimbabwean citizens amid anti-corruption protests, I hereby request that Parliament debates this matter urgently…,”read part of the letter.
Rubbishing the matter, Apostle V. Mnangatire of the Rivers of Water Ministry in Zimbabwe said, “It has become obvious that the west and their puppets have failed to unseat President Mnangagwa using their puppet political parties and sanctions, now they want to rope in SADC countries using the church.
“The leader of the ATM is misdirecting his political efforts in a SA August House by pleading a Zimbabwean matter, that place is meant to discuss issues that concern his constituency and not Zimbabwe,” said Apostle Mnangatire.
One netizen only identified as Leratto Pillay, took to twitter and dug into ATM for failing to put South Africa first.
“Zimbabweans are just upholding their country's law. When will someone seriously concern themselves with issues that pertain to South Africa?
She added that, “This is the reason ATM has only two seats in parliament, it lacks priority.”
Meanwhile, Apostle Mnangatire said, “this is evidence that the detractors are leaving no stone unturned in trying to isolate Zimbabwe from the region.
“They seek to make an example of Zimbabwe to other SADC nations, who may harbour ambitions to repossess white owned land within their countries just like what Zimbabwe did by taking back land from the white minority and giving it to the black majority in the Land Reform Program.”
Meanwhile the ATM is a small party holding only two seats in SA parliament; this appears to be a spirited move of trying to put itself in the lime light.
SADC is aware of the situation bedevilling Zimbabwe as a nation, and has on numerous times called for the west to remove the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe and allow her to resuscitate the economy. Ordinary citizens in Zimbabwe have lost their livelihoods due to the effects of sanctions which have led to closure of industries as they fail to retool and recapacitate.
