via Stop shedding crocodile tears over Dzamara: ZCTU – DailyNews Live 15 March 2015 by Godfrey Mtimba
MASVINGO – Zimbabwean workers body has accused the ruling Zanu PF government of shedding crocodile tears over the abduction and disappearance of journalist-cum-political activist, Itai Dzamara.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) a labour body that represents the majority of Zimbabwean workers called on the State to come clean on the whereabouts of the activist who was abducted in a mafia-style manner by unidentified men and bundled into a vehicle to an unknown destination.
ZCTU secretary-general, Japhet Moyo accused government of not being sincere following utterances, by Acting President, Emmerson Mnangagwa that the State was extremely concerned by Dzamara’s abduction.
“We call upon the State to stop pretending and shedding crocodile tears and own up to its constitutional responsibilities and respect people’s rights notwithstanding their scrutiny of the government and the ruling party leaders,” said Moyo.
The workers’ representatives accuse the State of pretending to be sincere over the issue when suspicions and accusations have been pointed at it.
The labour body said such disappearances are meant to silence dissenting voices against the glaring misrule of the current government and economic meltdown that has plunged more than 80 percent of the population into unemployment and abject poverty.
“These barbaric acts shy away from the basic freedoms, rights and protection as guaranteed by the national constitution,” Moyo added.
The labour movement also added that Dzamara’s abduction and disappearance after criticising President Robert Mugabe brings back sad memories of previous disappearance for several months of renowned human rights activists like Jestina Mukoko, who only resurfaced on the brink of death in police custody.
Moyo said many Zimbabweans who have been abducted in this same manner resurfaced in bad shape after heavy torture and battering.
The workers movement also claimed that the unlucky ones like Tonderai Ndira resurfaced dead while Rashiwe Guzha was never found.
“The sad development is that not even a single perpetrator of such heinous acts has been arrested and ZCTU calls upon all responsible citizens and authorities to continue voicing concern over Dzamara’s disappearance and demand for his safe return from the belly of State dungeons,” Moyo added.
A High Court judge on Friday ordered the police to find Dzamara after his wife Sheffa filed an urgent court application where she cited Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi, State Security minister Sydney Sekeramayi and police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri as well as Happyton Bonyongwe the director general of Central Intelligence Organisation as respondents.
Sheffa, who was represented by Charles Kwaramba and Alec Muchadehama, told the court that her husband was abducted last Monday by five men as he left a hair salon in Harare’s high density suburb of Glen View.
The men were reportedly driving a motor vehicle with obscured number plates.
COMMENTS
I guess the for talking has since elapsed. You can’t negotiate with someone holding a gun to your head. Now is the time to act. Starting with your organisation this government can easily be brought to its knees. Tools down simple.
I think dzamara was taken by cio
For sure. The sad fact is that the majority tribe of this country, whose character has been stamped on the nation, are cowardly individualists who would never rally to any collective cause.
Chanisa too true. They have the biggest egos but no guts whatsover. Time for action is now.
Going by previous records ALL TEN ACCUSING FINGERS are pointed towards the ZANU-PF Government and all its apparatus in this evil and dastard act. No sane Zimbabwean can accept the Govt denials.