Is anybody listening?

via Is anybody listening? | The Zimbabwean 25 June 2014 by Magari Mandebvu

The new constitution provides a framework for renewal – on paper. But when will any of it be implemented?

The new Electoral Bill went through Parliament but, though they complied with section 149 of the Constitution by conducting public hearings, both Parliament and Minister Mnangagwa failed to comply with section 3(2)g when the Bill was passed without any debate on the issues raised during the hearings, This goes against the spirit of democratic policy-making processes as provided for in Section 141 (a) and (b) of the constitution.

Observers fear that some provisions of the Bill not only allow abuses to continue but could make NIKUV’s job easier next time. The minister and Parliament weren’t listening.

Opposition parties and a former NCA spokesman have accused Zanu (PF) of deliberately delaying the swearing-in of provincial councils to perpetuate its centralised government system, although devolution is enshrined in section 273 of the constitution.

The police and law courts also fall short.

Section 69 of the constitution specifically states that every person accused of an offence has the right to a fair and public trial within a reasonable time before an independent and impartial court. 29 people were arrested in May 2011, in connection with the death of police inspector Petros Mutedza at Glen View 3 shopping centre. 21 of them were acquitted In September 2013. One more died in prison and seven are still awaiting trial for allegedly murdering the cop, though one even has video evidence that he was in church at the time of the incident.

We see signs of similar delays over the Budiriro VaPositori who allegedly assaulted police officers.

The Police Commissioner tells cops to stop bashing in kombi windscreens; do they? Does anybody enforce his command? He tells police officers they should get rid of their own kombi fleets; do they? Does anybody enforce his command?

Jonathan Moyo talks of legal process against the Sunday Mail editor, but the charges against him are not clear. They are rumoured to concern things he published before Zanu (PF) offered him his present job as propagandist in last year’s elections. The constitution asserts his right to know what he is accused of.

Police raided Kwekwe’s community radio initiative, Radio Kwelaz, offices on June 17 using a search warrant “in terms of Section 54(1) (a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (Chapter 9:07),” but that chapter does not exist.

Those are not the only current examples of harassment against the media.

But the party is trying to look acceptable to its Western enemies, who won’t be too demanding as long as some pretence of democracy appears so that they can get their dirty paws on our diamonds, platinum and whatever other wealth still lies below our soil.

We need to speak out. Those “foreign devils” accepted the election results because we had been silent about the lack of conditions for a free and fair election that had been agreed in the 2008 GPA and about the actual conduct of the election. If we stay silent, they will persuade themselves that since some people are getting rich in Zimbabwe, everything is OK.

Fortunately, our Dear Leader isn’t satisfied with compromise and still upsets those hypocrites. A new president, more tactful and ruthless, would suit them fine.

One aspirant has been urging the AU to outlaw popular protests, so we know what to expect of him. This may be our last chance to speak out or forever hold our peace.