Hague awaits, Mliswa warns Mugabe

via Hague awaits, Mliswa warns Mugabe – New Zimbabwe 05/05/2015

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants came under attack from former Zanu PF legislator Temba Mliswa who warned the veteran leader was not immune to prosecution before international courts.

Mliswa is fighting to reclaim the Hurungwe West in elections scheduled for June 10 after he was recalled from Parliament following his expulsion from Zanu PF.

Addressing a press conference in the capital Monday, Mliswa, who claims his supporters are being subjected to intimidation and violence by Zanu PF, apologised for being party to similar campaign tactics in the past.

“I regret and I am sorry for having been part of a violent system. We were part of a system that believed in violence. I apologize for having been part of the gang,’’ he said.

Mugabe and Zanu PF face charges of violently putting down dissent since assuming power in 1980, beginning with the Gukurahundi campaign which rights groups say killed 20,000 civilians in the Matebeleland and Midlands regions.

Mliswa said while Mugabe and his lieutenants could be safe from cowed local courts, they could be hauled before the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court (ICC) which is commonly known as The Hague.

“You must understand that Zimbabwe is a signatory of the ICC,” he said.

“If leaders are violent they must be tried. Uhuru Kenyatta in Kenya was tried and was found innocent.

“I equally support that any leader suppressing their own people must prove their innocence before the same courts.”

He added: ‘’Chombo, Chiyangwa must equally be tried. They have terrorized villagers and the evidence is there; it should not be only Mliswa appearing before the courts.’’

Mliswa is one of the senior Zanu PF officials expelled for being part of an alleged coup plot by former vice president Joice Mujuru.

Mujuru and several ministers were also axed from government over the same allegations.