Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has urged President Robert Mugabe to rein on Zanu PF supporters who are reportedly disrupting public hearings on the Electoral Law Reforms being conducted by Parliament of Zimbabwe.
In a statement released on friday, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said the head of state must come out and speak to his people, regarding the reported violence.
“CiZC implores the Head of State and Government; President Robert Mugabe to walk the talk as far as his pledge to peace and tolerance is concerned,” it reads.
CiZC added that President Mugabe should not sit back and watch while his party members are acting unconstitutionally yet he is quick to castigate anti-government protesters.
“President Mugabe has often been swift to castigate protests against mis-governance in the country yet he chooses to remain silent when his supporters perpetrate violence against other parties.
“His stance has proved how he relies on violence and intimidation to maintain his hold on power as he chooses to speak out only when he feels his political office is under threat,” further reads the statement.
This came after reports of violence rocking public hearings on electoral reforms across the country where some of the parliamentarians were reportedly assaulted.
Reports from Election Resource Centre said that two opposition legislators, Jessie Majome and Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga were attacked by Zanu (PF) youths in Mutare.
“As CiZC, we condemn such behaviour in the strongest terms and we call upon regional, continental and international bodies to intervene in resolving the Zimbabwean crisis which poses a serious threat to human life,” said CICZ.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Human Rights has also issued a statement condemning violent disruptions of public hearings by alleged Zanu PF supporters.
“The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) condemns in the strongest terms the organising and instigation of violence by the ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) officials targeting Members of Parliament and ordinary citizens during public hearings on electoral reforms.
“ZimRights is disturbed by the undemocratic and violent attempts by members of the ruling party at preventing citizens from making their voices heard regarding electoral reforms in the public hearings on the petition made to Parliament by the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and 14 other organisations,” noted ZimRights.
ZimRights also called Zanu PF officials to discipline its members.
“ZimRights calls upon the Zanu-PF leadership to discipline its members, and respect the work of parliament. ZimRights denounces the notable and general rise in incidences of politically motivated violence being perpetrated by actors and instigators in the ruling party.”
