Motlanthe team gets legal backing

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has provided legal backing to a seven-member probe team sworn in last week to look into the violence that rocked Harare on the 1st of August 2018, following the July 30th general elections.

Last Thursday, former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe took an oath before the President at State House, followed by other members of the probe team.

The members include United Kingdom-based international law expert Mr Rodney Dixon, former Commonwealth secretary general Emeka Anyaoku from Nigeria, former Tanzania People’s Defence Forces General Davis Mwamunyange, University of Zimbabwe lecturers Professors Lovemore Madhuku and Charity Manyeruke; and former Law Society of Zimbabwe president Vimbai Nyemba.

The swearing-in ceremony preceded the setting up of the legislative framework to make the team and its terms of reference legal after President Mnangagwa proclaimed the Commission in a Government Gazette on Friday.

The proclamation is in line with Section 2 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act (Chapter 10:07) which provides that, “The President may, when he considers it advisable, by proclamation, appoint a commission of inquiry consisting of one or more commissioners.”

According to the gazette, the team is expected to compile a written report for the President within three months. President Mnangagwa set up the team to investigate the violence that left about six people dead and many others injured in the skirmishes that also saw the destruction of property worth several thousands of dollars soon after the July elections.

The violent protests were alleged to have been triggered by the MDC Alliance supporters who sought early announcement of Presidential election results in favour of their leader. Reads part of Friday’s notice by President Mnangagwa: “Now, therefore, under and by the virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore said, I do, by this proclamation, direct that the terms of reference shall be as follows:

“To inquire into the circumstances leading to the 1st of August, 2018, post election violence; to identify the actors and their leaders, their motive and strategies employed in the protests.”

Mr Motlanthe has since called upon institutions and members of the public who wish to contribute to the probe to file written submissions with the Commission not later than 12 October.

He said people must use the work of the Commission as part of the necessary blocks to build a new Zimbabwe.