Crisis Coalition condemns criminal activities
CRISIS in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) notes with concern and dismay attempts, by the State through a shadowy online publication to create fictitious charges of “terrorism” against the organisation.
The organisation notes that this article comes against the background of the organisation’s successful litigation against the unilateral directive by the Harare provincial co-ordinator to civil society organisations and the petitioning of Sadc chairperson to push the regional body to facilitate the resolution of the Zimbabwean Crisis through a Sadc-mediated national dialogue which creates conditions for political, economic and social reforms. The report alleges that:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police arrested 11 suspects at House number 2345 Nharira, Norton in Mashonaland West province,
These suspects were armed and had motor vehicles, possessed drugs and mobile communication units with South African registration;
Four of the arrested are on the wanted list for various unresolved murder and rape cases in Zimbabwe.
The story further alleges that the said house belongs to CiZC.
CiZC seeks to put it on record that:
The organisation is a legally registered umbrella body of more than 350 organisations which uses peaceful constitutional means in its contribution to building a truly democratic society. The network did not in any way and by any means in its 20-year history of advocating for a democratic society, involve itself in any of the crimes alleged in the article.
It has no knowledge or contact with any of the people named in the article. The coalition does not have any safe houses.
CiZC’s membership includes known legally registered institutions like labour, women’s organisations, youth, human rights institutions, farmers, war veterans, students, among others.
CiZC remains a civilian network of institutions working to promote the ethos of the liberation struggle, including one-person-one-vote, promotion and protection of human rights including marginalised communities and engaging the State to ensure pro-poor developmental policies.
In response to the above the coalition has instructed its lawyers to engage and take necessary legal action to seek truth, assist the police and protect civil society space and its leaders. Marvellous Khumalo CIZC spokesperson