via State must come clean on ‘abductions’ – DailyNews Live 21 July 2015
HARARE – Expelled Zanu PF senior member and former Masvingo resident minister, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, as reported yesterday in our sister publication — the Daily News On Sunday — foiled an abduction attempt on him after he dramatically turned the tables on alleged intelligence details who had been trailing him for more than a week.
Bhasikiti, a former member of Zanu PF’s highest decision-making body, the politburo, was recently expelled from President Robert Mugabe’s warring party on untested allegations of plotting to oust and kill the frail and long-ruling nonagenarian.
He told the Daily News on Sunday that he had been trailed by unknown people over the past week on a daily basis, who would also drop a lady close to his gate at his Borrowdale house in Harare, to monitor him, his family and his movements.
This is quite disconcerting that at a time when the international community and indeed Zimbabweans are holding the State accountable for the abduction of journalist-cum-activist Itai Dzamara — another citizen was ‘‘targeted’’.
In Bhasikiti’s case, the police said one of his assailants was from the system.
If indeed these people are known, why would the police feel so powerless to hold them to account for their dastardly acts which have continued to stalk Mugabe’s administration?
The seemingly lackadaisical attitude displayed by police, especially in the abduction of Dzamara, sadly, makes it difficult for citizens to trust people who should be protecting them.
It is the duty of an elected government to protect the rights of its citizens and instil confidence in the institutions that are mandated to carry such duties.
The Zimbabwe government and the police, especially, have been found wanting in this regard considering the number of cases involving State actors such as security agencies in the violation of citizens’ rights.
The pooh-poohing on genuine concerns raised by peace-loving Zimbabweans regarding Mugabe’s failure to address Dzamara’s abduction by presidential spokesman, George Charamba — sums up Zimbabwe’s attitude towards its own people.
Charamba’s comments on Wednesday and Saturday towards the Dzamara family including his wife, were dripping with disdain of the highest proportions.
Mugabe’s spokesman sums up his boss’ attitude which has seen lack of accountability for past abuses and his government’s failure to ensure justice for victims State-induced rights abuse.
The ball is in Mugabe’s court and the world is watching closely.
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