CCC Challenges Courts To Be Impartial
The opposition CCC has raised concerns over what it says is the “shrinking electoral environment” in the country.
On Tuesday, CCC held a Press conference at Media Centre in Harare to update the media on issues to do with elections as the country prepares for general elections in 2023.
Speaking at the Press conference, CCC secretary for elections Ian Makone, challenged courts and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to assert their independence from ZANU PF. Said Makone:
The Nyatsime 14, who include legislators Job Sikhala (Zengeza West) and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North), have spent 147 days (in prison) without trial causing distress to their families, but they remain motivated.
We emphasise and call upon the Judiciary to separate itself from the clutches of the regime. ZANU PF is in a panic mode which is why it has resorted to violence.
To the police, I say, reports were made in Insiza, Matobo, and Chirumanzu but no one has been arrested. Are we not correct to say that the police have been captured?
And ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) — the Constitution mandates it to take measures and systems to eliminate electoral violence and other malpractices.
Justice Priscillah Chigumba (ZEC chairperson) should come out in the open to tell us what those measures have done. If they cannot, we are right to conclude that they (ZEC) are captured.
CCC had to reconvene the Press conference after it was initially disrupted by suspected ZANU PF youths who had barricaded the Media Centre.
The assailants later entered the building and took away CCC banners and materials meant to be used during the Press conference.
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, Makone and his deputy Ellen Shiriyedenga were forced to escape through the back door as suspected ZANU PF youths mobbed the Media Centre. | NewsDay
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