Zim desperately requires security sector reforms
AREPORT by the Zimbabwe Peace Project has shown that Zimbabwe’s security agents were the worst violators of human rights in the month of February.
While the report was released last week, this has been the case since early 2000 when Zimbabweans became critical of the Zanu PF government.
Since the formation of the opposition MDC in 1999, Zimbabweans, especially human rights activists, have been subjected to persecution and abduction at the hands of State security agents.
The case of activists Itai Dzamara and Paul Chizuze, whose whereabouts remain unknown several years after their abduction by suspected State security agents, are notable examples of what Zimbabweans have been experiencing at the hands of the iron-fisted Zanu PF regime.
Recently, a civilian was killed by soldiers in Chipinge who accused him of being a bandit from neighbouring Mozambique.
What transpired soon after the July 2018 elections when the army fired directly at unarmed demonstrators, who were demanding the release of results, will remain etched in the minds of Zimbabweans. It seems our State security agents do as they please with impunity as if they are above the law.
The government is not taking action to implement the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry following the violent protests that flared up after the election in 2018, in which six people were killed and several others injured by soldiers.
The commission, which was headed by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, recommended security sector reforms and prosecution of those responsible for the killings.
The commission also called for the retraining of the police so that the force is professional and non-partisan.
But two years on, no one has been held accountable, which raises a lot of questions as to who is behind the heinous acts.
Right now, the police are back on the road with spikes when controlling traffic, yet publicly they say use of spikes is prohibited.
People are harassed and arrested daily by the police and nothing happens.
Zimbabwe is yearning for security sector reforms. The army should be confined to barracks and be professional in the discharge of their duties.
A professional army is guided by the laws of the country in protecting everyone.