Chiwenga implicated in post-election shootings

A ZIMBABWEAN High Court judge implicated Vice-president Constantino Chiwenga in the deadly shootings of unarmed civilians by the military following post-election violence in the capital on August 1.

The military fired live ammunition on civilians, killing six people.

In a ruling made on Wednesday, Justice David Mangota dismissed a case where Allison Charles and the Counselling Services Unit (CSU) had taken President Emmerson Mnangagwa to court seeking that he disband the commission of inquiry into the event, which is led by former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe.

Charles and CSU argued that Mnangagwa was conflicted in the matter, saying he had constitutional powers to deploy soldiers and could not set a commission of inquiry into his conduct.

Mangota ruled that claims that Mnangagwa was conflicted were “frivolous” and “not backed by facts”, adding that the facts and law exonerated him.

“The circumstances of the events of August 1, 2018 unfold themselves in a manner which is as clear as night follows day,” he ruled.