by Sibusiso Ndlamini
When incidents take place, whether they are good or bad, normally they happen as a result of certain forces or influences. It is imperative to note that every occurrence that happens has its footprints that can be traced back to provide clear-cut proof of what exactly took place that could have triggered a major incident.
After realising that most shops, buildings and vehicles were burnt and destroyed while some innocent citizens lost their precious lives due to the 1st of August violence, President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is a compassionate leader, appointed a seven-member commission of inquiry to investigate the sad incident.
The Commission of Inquiry to the violence that took place after the 31 July 2018 harmonised elections, which is being chaired by former South African President, Mr Kgaleme Motlanthe revealed more evidence that the MDC Alliance members were the main actors behind the violence that took place on the 1st of August.
As events at the public hearing unfold, evidence has it that one of the alliance principals who is also Harare East legislator, Tendai Biti incited a group of MDC Alliance rowdy supporters to burn and destroy properties especially those belonging to the ruling party, ZANU PF.
According to the August 1 testimonials given by witnesses, MDC Alliance supporter, Jim Kunaka was also part of the hooligans that mobbed and caused violence in the central business district of Harare. The witnesses, who were testifying, said the MDC Alliance members were armed with dangerous weapons that included iron bars, machetes and stones that they used to destroy property whilst other officials were buying alcohol for the hooligans to be drunk so that they could harass people alleging they were defending their vote.
Before the election results were announced, Biti circulated a video on social media were he was claiming that the people will defend their vote and die for the cause.
When protests are violent, it is the duty of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to offer security to citizens and businesses. The ZRP together with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) were involved in calming the volatile situation to protect the lives of the ordinary citizens from the unruly MDC Alliance hooligans.
It becomes a very big problem for people to destroy property in pursuit of their demands. It does not make sense for those protestors to demonstrate and impinge on the rights of others and their properties. Hence, it is always encouraged for protestors to opt for dialogue with the responsible authorities rather than triggering violence that affect innocent souls.
In as much as protesting is a democratic right for every citizen as prescribed in Section 59 of the Zimbabwean Constitution, there is also need for protestors to consider section 219. In terms of section 219 of the Constitution, the Police have a duty to protect and secure the lives and property of the people, uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and enforce the law without fear or favour.
In that regard, members of the security forces who were involved in the August 1 violence did not just appear from nowhere, instead, they were executing their duties of protecting the citizens by any means possible.
In is not only in Zimbabwe where security forces have a mandate of protecting citizens in times of violent protests but also in other countries.
In Namibia, Article 21 of their Constitution guarantees all persons in Namibia freedom of speech and expression as well as freedom to assemble and demonstrate peacefully and without arms. That same Constitution, says that the fundamental freedoms can be subject to reasonable restrictions imposed in the name of national security, public order, decency or morality. Accordingly, Article 115 of Namibian Constitution says that their police force must have prescribed powers, duties and procedures in order to secure the internal security of Namibia and to maintain law and order.
So, for the opposition parties to put the blame of August 1 incidents on security forces will not be fair, as they were safeguarding citizens from the MDC Alliance hoodlums.
Security forces should be encouraged to continue executing their duties without any fear.
