In a shocking statement, MDC-T President Thokozani Khuphe has failed to mention the names Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, the three MDC Alliance women who were abducted by Zimbabwe state security agents this week.
Instead, she made a generic statement and combined the Mpofu sisters incident with the latest abduction of Mamombe, Chimbiri and Marova.
“The two Mpofu Sisters, among other people were abused by police officers in Cowdry Park, Bulawayo and now we see another incident of abuse of three women who include a Member of
Parliament in Harare”.
Khuphe said her party condemns abuse and torture of civilians, particularly women therefore authorities should conduct a full investigation on these alleged incidents.
Below is the full statement:
STATEMENT ON INHUMAN TREATMENT OF WOMEN
BY SECURITY AGENTS
The Movement for Democratic Change, (MDC-T) condemns the abuse and torture of civilians, particularly women during this period when Zimbabwe and the rest of the world are faced with
the challenges of the Corona Virus (Covid 19). As the MDC T we challenge the law enforcement agencies, thus the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to desist from using any form of force and heavy handedness on innocent and unarmed citizens when discharging their duties. We have seen women and children and other vulnerable members of our society being the victims of alleged police brutality during the Covid 19 national lockdown period.
As a democratic party which espouses human rights, freedoms of expression, movement and association among other freedoms. We note with sadness and disdain that people were tortured, harassed during the lockdown. The
two Mpofu Sisters, among other people were abused by police officers in Cowdry Park, Bulawayo and now we see another
incident of abuse of three women who include a Member of Parliament in Harare. We call upon the authorities to conduct a full investigation on
these alleged incidents. We want to see offenders being brought
before the law.
We also encourage all the citizens who have been affected, suffered and have been abused by errant law enforcement
officers to come forward, be courageous and report these
incidents. As a Party, we are hopeful that all those officers that broke the
law will be apprehended as we have seen happening in Bulawayo.
We are now almost five weeks under the lockdown and are aware of the many socioeconomic challenges that our people face under these difficult conditions.
Whilst the government together with various stakeholders are working out modalities to open up the economic activity and bring back normalcy. Fellow Zimbabweans, let us continue to observe social distancing as well as stay at home to fight the spread of the deadly Covid 19 pandemic because it is real and is here with us. We call upon all our citizens to observe the current lock down
regulations.
These regulations are meant to protect us all as Zimbabweans. As a country that is faced with unprecedented economic
challenges we may lose the war against Covid 19 if we do not get cooperation from all our people. Let us all try and save lives. It is true that things will get worse before they get better. The lock down measures came at the right time and I firmly believe that many lives were saved. Let us endure the last mile
as we prepare to get back to normalcy.
Dr. Thokozani Khupe (Acting President)
