A leading human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, has challenged the Zimbabwe Republic Police, National Prosecution Authority and other government bodies to arrest a well-known ruling Zanu PF supporter, who was filmed calling for the killing of the country main opposition party leader, Nelson Chamisa, his children and supporters.
In a letter to the ZRP Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and others, Mtetwa said the police and other relevant authorities have a constitutional mandate to arrest people inciting violence.
The video of the Zanu PF supporter was taken recently at a rally where he urged his supporters to kill Chamisa, his children and supporters and the person has not been arrested at a time when two opposition lawmakers belonging to Chamisa’s party and being denied bail since last month when they were arrested for allegedly inciting violence.
The lawyer says there should be no selective application of the law and is demanding the arrest of the accused person.
“Like other citizens, I have been waiting with bated breadth for the arrest of the inciter and for the law to take its course. As it does not appear that the law enforcement agencies have taken any action on this inciteful calls, I shall assume that the country’s ever alert law enforcement agents missed this video in their usual sourcing of social media sites in search of offensive and possibly criminal material.
“Investigations have determined that the incitement to murder and violence was issues by one Abton Mashayanyika, with the nickname Bhito who is said to be a bishop of a religious organization known as Habakkuk Apostolic Faith Mission. The inciter was addressing a ruling party rally at Rampopo Hills under Chief Mapiravana in Mberengwa North and that he is from the Dlehari area under sabhuku Kuraicha.”
Mtetwa, an award-winning attorney, said, “To the Commissioner General, I request that in line with your Constitutional mandate to detect, investigate, and prevent crime, in addition to protecting and securing the lives and property of Zimbabweans, you investigate these utterances with a view of prosecuting what is clearly a criminal offence which has the potential of affecting the country’s internal security and the various rights that citizens are entitled to enjoy as provided for in the Constitution.”
She also urged the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter with a view of handing it to Matanga “as there can be no doubt that the killing of Zimbabweans is a clear criminal act which violates Zimbabweans’ rights to freedom of association and the right to join and participate in the activities of their choice has no place in a country which has full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Mtetwa urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and National Peace and Reconciliation Commission to take action against political violence, hate speech and other issues.
Matanga, ZEC and representatives of the NPRC were not responding to calls on their mobile phones.