President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he is appalled by a Sky News video of soldiers and police manhandling and assaulting citizens during the shutdown protests.
Writing on his micro blogging Twitter Monday morning, Mnangagwa said he has since ordered the arrest of individuals carrying such operations.
“I was appalled by today’s Sky News report. That is not the Zimbabwean way. I have instructed that the individuals behind this be arrested and encourage all those impacted to contact the authorities and file an official complaint,” he wrote.
However, human rights activist, Patson Dzamara, questioned Mnangagwa’s sincerity saying he should not pretend as if he does not know.
“No Sir! Stop playing these games with our lives. You know and you know what is happening. You are being extremely insincere and that’s regrettable. We are no longer proud and safe to be Zimbabwean because of how your government is treating us. You are abusing us daily,” Dzamara responded.
Self-exiled and former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo said the President’s statement is just a skillful way of distancing himself from the dirty work his men are carrying out in the country.
“He uses his @Twitter account to make what “tactical” statements, when he’s caught out or he finds himself with his back against the wall. He then uses his official spokesperson to disown the @Twitter statements, as he did with a recent tweet, pledging dialogue, which he withdrew!
‘It’s a tactical statement by his tactical team. Call George Charamba to come and disown it,” he wrote.
Human rights abuses reminiscent of the former President Robert Mugabe regime have since resurfaced beginning with the 1st August army shootings that left six people dead.
The 14th of January shutdown protests saw over 700 opposition activists, Councillors and parliamentarians arrested in a crackdown that has been condemned by the international community.
