Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP, Prosper Mutseyami, has urged the government to accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPPED) to stop the culture of State-sponsored abductions.
ICPPED is an international human rights instrument established by the United Nations to prevent enforced disappearances, which, as defined in international law, constitute a crime against humanity.
“Enforced Disappearance” is defined as the arrest, detention, abduction, or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups acting with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of the State.
This is followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which places such a person outside the protection of the law.
Mutseyami, who is the MP for Dangamvura, made the call in the National Assembly while raising a point of national interest on Thursday. Said Mutseyami (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200025711/govt-taken-to-task-over-abductions">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
My point of national importance is that we have an International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on the 30th of August, 2024. Zimbabwe has neither signed nor acceded to the convention.
This convention applies to the victims who would have died as a result of the disaster, like Cyclone Idai, it applies as well to enforced disappearances like we have situations we had, of people like Itai Dzamara, Patrick Nabenyama, and many others who passed on then.
My appeal, through your office, is to find means as to how we can come up with the motivation for our government to accede to this convention since I believe it is an important convention which applies to us as a country.
</blockquote>
Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda ruled:
<blockquote>
We will engage the relevant minister and find out the modalities on how to handle your request.
</blockquote>
Nabanyama, who was a polling agent for the current Mayor of Bulawayo David Coltart in the June 2000 parliamentary elections, was reportedly kidnapped by suspected State security agents and war veterans from his home in Bulawayo.
He was never seen again and was in August 2010 declared dead by the courts.
Dzamara was a journalist-cum political activist who was snatched from a barbershop in Harare’s Glen View suburb by suspected State security agents on March 9, 2015.
The day before his enforced disappearance, Dzamara had addressed a rally in Harare where he called for mass action to address the deteriorating economic conditions.
In 2015, High Court judge Justice David Mangota ordered the government “to do all things necessary to determine Itai Dzamara’s whereabouts.”
However, the government has failed to give regular updates on Dzamara’s fate.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

CCC MP Urges Government To Ratify UN Convention Against Enforced Disappearances

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says its MPs are free to take the US$40 000 housing loans from parliament, but they must repay them.
CCC leader Nelson Chamisa previously declared that the loans were a bribe and warned his MPs not to “drink from the poisoned chalice” as they will face the wrath of voters.
On Wednesday, deputy CCC spokesman Gift Ostallos Siziba announced the compromise deal after appearing at a news conference with some of the MPs led by CCC Chief Whip in Parliament Prosper Mutseyami. Said Siziba:
<blockquote>
There had been a misunderstanding over the loans, but the MPs have clarified that it was in fact they who led the push for housing loans and secured the concession in the supplementary budget in September. There can be no question of them not repaying the loans.
</blockquote>
Mutseyami told journalists that the loans “cannot bribe or derail our cause,” appearing to directly contradict Chamisa. Said Mutseyami:
<blockquote>
The suggestion in some quarters that loans are donations is not correct. In the midterm supplementary budget of September 2022, a provision was made for a housing or vehicle loan of US$40 000. This loan was understood as a genuine part of the MPs’ welfare.
The loan is therefore not a surprise executive instrument but one that went through the due process of appropriation as is provided in the constitution.
It is not a discretionary issue or an executive gratuitous gesture like the grants given to ministers and deputy ministers.
</blockquote>
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba on Wednesday said that the disbursement of the loans was being done by alphabetic order.
He claimed CCC deputy leader Tendai Biti was the first to get the disbursement as his surname places him top. He said:
<blockquote>
Did you know that by today, 100 MPs had been paid? Or was that payment by alphabetic order?
Meaning the first to be paid was Biti Tendai. With Chikwinya Settlement (Mbizo MP) among the top 10 to be settled! Which explains why Biti was funerally quiet.
</blockquote>
|<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/defiant-ccc-mps-force-chamisa-into-loans-compromise/"> ZimLive</a>

Defiant CCC MPs Force Chamisa Into Loans Compromise

The opposition CCC Parliamentary Caucus has denied claims that the US$40 000 loans granted to Members of Parliament by Treasury are donations.
CCC MPs have received a lot of criticism especially on social media platforms for taking the loans.
Critics accuse the opposition MPs of joining the “gravy train” saying they are no longer serving the interets of the electorate, but their selfish interests.
Even CCC president Nelson Chamisa has criticised his MPs for accepting the loans and warned them that they will be punished by voters.
But CCC Chief Whip in Parliament Prosper Mutseyami defended the party’s MPs, saying the loans are a “genuine part of the MPs’ welfare.” He said:
<blockquote>
The suggestion in some quarters that loans are donations is not correct. In the midterm supplementary budget of September 2022 approved, provision was made for a housing or vehicle loan of US$40 000.
This loan was understood as a genuine part of the MPs’ welfare. The loan is therefore not a surprise executive instrument but one that went through the due process of appropriation as is provided in the constitution.
It is not a discretionary issue or an executive gratuitous gesture like the grants granted to ministers and deputy ministers.
In October of 2022, MPs were made to sign binding loan application forms which they executed.
In late November, parliament made partial disbursements of these loans. The loan in question is above board.
</blockquote>
Mutseyami, who is the MP for Dangamvura, said it was unfair to compare CCC legislators with those of ZANU PF simply because they accepted the loans. He said:
<blockquote>
The loan in question is no excuse for state failure or the deplorable state of public services.
It is no excuse for 42 years of mismanagement and misallocation of public resources. And most certainly the loan cannot bribe or derail our cause.
We therefore reject the equalisation. We are not Zanu, have never been Zanu. We have remained principled and committed.
We have remained unwavering in our quest for transformation and change in our country We have faced dictatorship and its billions of dollars weaponised against our people.
</blockquote>
Mutseyami also claimed that MPs are currently earning ZWL$$200 000 “which is equivalent to US$200.” He added:
<blockquote>
The new salary remains way below the poverty datum line by a long margin.
It also remains way below the average regional salary of MPs which is US$2 000 even in economies smaller than Zimbabwe or countries such as Kenya and others where MPs are paid around US$13,000 a month.
This is in addition to the provision of constituency offices, and paid research assistance.
</blockquote>
| ZimLive

CCC MPs Say US$40 000 Loans Are Not A Donation

The MDC says that it is now wiser and will not be sucked into ZANU PF’s factional battles. This follows reports that rebel elements within the ruling party were plotting to impeach Mnangagwa and would need the help of the opposition MPs to get the required numbers. MDC Chief Whip Prosper Mutseyami said:
<blockquote>With Zanu-PF rapture at play, the MDC caucus is also being targeted to avoid its participation in a rumoured impeachment plan. We have nothing to do with Zanu-PF internal politics; we were elected to represent the people and not to fight factional battles of those presiding over a rogue state.
Not to mention that there is no better side of Zanu-PF, we, however, want to make the point that playing a representational role, participating in an impeachment process is not beyond the rights of the legislature and no one must be persecuted for that.
There is, however, no need for impeachment. The executive has failed in absolute terms and violated the obligation to obey and uphold the Constitution. It follows that Mnangagwa and his Cabinet must resign.</blockquote>
In 2017, the MDC supported a motion in Parliament to impeach the then President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe eventually resigned when he realised that he had lost the support of his MPs. The MDC thought that the demise of Mugabe will usher in a new government of national unity.
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MDC Will Not Be Sucked Into ZANU PF Factional Wars, As Happened With Coup Against Mugabe - Mutseyami

MDC Chief Whip on Prosper Mutseyami issued a statement justifying why the party’s legislators did not stand up when President Mnangagwa entered Parliament.
Mutseyami said legislators did not stand up because Mnangagwa is not the elected President. He said there is no rule that compels legislators to stand up when a President enters Parliament. Mutseyami further argues that Mnangagwa disrespected the House because he was wearing a Zanu-PF scarf. He also said leader of House of Assembly for the MDC, Thabitha Khumalo and Karenyi Kore have been hospitalized and others injured following skirmishes with the police. We publish Mutseyami’s statement below:
<blockquote>MDC members of Parliament did not stand up when the illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa entered the chambers leading to the Speaker of Parliament ordering MDC MPs to walk out of the house, which they refused.
Police officers were called in to disperse the MDC MPS from the chambers, and they did so violently, assaulting members of parliament.
There posits our problem.
<ul>
<li>Emmerson Mnangagwa is not the elected President of Zimbabwe. ZEC and Zanu PF stole the people’s vote therefore, he does not deserve our respect.</li>
<li>There is no rule that says when a President is entering Parliament, MPs must rise up.</li>
<li>Regalia is not allowed in Parliament, therefore, Mr Mnangagwa disrespected the house when he entered the August House putting on a Zanu PF scarf.</li>
<li>Police, the CIO and military are not supposed to get into parliament, let alone violently evict duly elected MPs.</li>
</ul>
The MDC is disturbed by the continued use of force by this government – a clear failure to break from their violent past. We insist that this illegitimate government will kill just to maintain the grip of power, but as the MDC, we will keep the pressure until they give in to the will of the people.
We continue to pursue every democratic right to ensure the people’s hope is not destroyed. A clean, caring and respectful government is what the people of Zimbabwe deserve.</blockquote>

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