By Staff Writer
THE government has threatened to crush any Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) uprising if any arguing that any such plans are entirely a violation of the National Constitution and stability in the country.
The remarks come at a time when tensions are escalating in Zimbabwe following a series of complicated events taking place since the end of the August 23 polls which the opposition party rejected after classifying them as a gigantic fraud.
Both local and regional observer missions also expressed reservations over the transparency of the process.
The recall of 15 CCC legislators by one self- appointed CCC Secretary General, Sengezo Tshabangu in recent weeks has triggered calls for crippling demonstrations to be staged as the only lasting solution to resolve the democratic crisis in Zimbabwe.
But addressing African Union diplomats this week, Foreign Affairs acting minister Amon Murwira issued a stern warning against any action.
“It’s a matter of public record that one presidential candidate in the just-ended harmonised elections declared, well ahead of the polls and, brazenly in the presence of election observers and the media, that the candidate would not abide by any other result except one which ‘pronounced the candidate as the sole winner’.
“Indeed this was the second such instance in which the candidate made such a declaration. Sadly, violence ensued after such a declaration in 2018. This type of conduct is an attack on our democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
“Regrettably, some countries have tended to support this undemocratic conduct. As in previous instances, government will not tolerate any actions aimed at disturbing the peace under the guise of ‘democratic political processes’.”
He said Zimbabwean law enjoins the Speaker of the National Assembly and the president of the Senate to promptly act on any and all communication from political formations brought before them to effect a recall.
“Neither official can or may cause, amend, or block any such communication once placed before them. Again, it is downright false to impute responsibility for any recalls on the two Presiding Officers; or even to suggest that they have the remit to withdraw any such communication. Only authors of such communication can cause a reversal,” Murwira said.
He also claimed that there are no political prisoners in the country, despite the opposition alleging that former Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala who has now clocked over 400 days in jail, is one of them.
