MUTARE– A Zimbabwe Activists Alliance (ZAA) member is living in fear as he alleges state agents are after his live, 263chat has established.
The activist who spoke on condition of anonymity said a group of more than 6 unidentified men believed to be security state agents have been searching for him.
He said he has since fled his home in fear of the Itai Dzamara kind of abduction, and his life following the fishy visit by the unidentified men who harassed his sister.
“I cannot live at home because of fear of being abducted the Itai Dzamara style because there was a group of six men that came to my home in an unmarked vehicle.
“The lucky part was that they came around 3 in the afternoon and I was not at home I don’t know what would have happened if I had been home. Now I am no longer living at home but at a safe house,” said the activist.
The ZAA member also lamented the denigration of civic activists that were holding peaceful demonstrations when the economy was on a free fall.
He urged government to be tolerant to dissenting voices as the nation subscribe to democracy, which he says allows people to hold peaceful demonstrations according to the dictates of the constitution.
“It’s a pity that government has turned a blind eye on the free falling economy and turned focus on those that are calling for reforms that will enable the country to move forward.
“As a democracy we are supposed to allow dissenting voices to be heard so that the minority doesn’t benefit at the expense of the whole nation,” he said.
An academic researcher said governments often take protests for granted despite their importance within a democratic society.
Hardson Kwandayi who is a former Africa Univesity lecturer and Academic Researcher, made these remarks at a public meeting organized by Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI) recently.
“Protests are usually taken for granted by those in power. They usually think protesters are a nuisance yet we see protesters as part of civil society which is an important component in policy making for any serious government,” said Kwandayi.
He said by international standards Zimbabwe government is rated lowly in terms of managing protests, adding that there is need for self introspection by those who are pulling the strings of power.
“There is need for self introspection by those who are pulling the strings of power,” said Kwandayi.
