YOUTH leaders from the secessionist opposition Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) have denigrated the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) for betraying the region’s citizens by protecting wrong leaders
who violate their people’s rights at will.
Zimbabwe is hosting the 44th Sadc summit with President Emmerson Mnangagwa assuming the chairmanship.
Heads of State and government are expected in the country on Friday this week for the headline meeting on August 17 at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
There have been spirited efforts by political activists and human rights defenders for Sadc to move the summit from Zimbabwe.
The activists also claimed that Mnangagwa does not deserve the position considering his human rights record since he assumed office in 2017.
In a statement, MRP youth league representative Mkhululi Jele said Sadc had failed to live up to its promise of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
He said Sadc had turned a blind eye to the most pressing issues affecting its citizens, choosing instead to protect the interests of those in power.
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“This betrayal of trust has led to widespread human rights abuses, electoral fraud and economic exploitation all of which have gone unpunished.
“Sadc’s inaction in the face of atrocities like the Matabeleland and Midlands massacres is a stark reminder of its failure to uphold human rights.
“Over 40 000 innocent lives were lost and millions were displaced, yet Sadc did nothing to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“Instead, influential Sadc figures have continued to endorse and support the authoritarian regime responsible for these heinous crimes.”
Jele said their complicity had emboldened the regime to continue its reign of terror, knowing that it would face no consequences from Sadc.
“Sadc’s transformation into a cartel that silences dissenting voices and undermines citizens' rights is a worrying trend.
“The organisation’s failure to address the concerns of its citizens has created a culture of fear and intimidation, where those who speak out against injustice are targeted and persecuted,” Jele said.
He said Sadc must take concrete steps to address pressing issues facing its citizens, including electoral reform, economic empowerment and human rights protection.
Meanwhile, Zapu national chairperson John Zolani Dlamini has said the opposition is deeply worried over government’s recent clampdown on citizens ahead of the Sadc summit.
“Zapu wonders what could happen should the demonstrations actually go ahead. Zapu wonders how many [people] will be killed after the response we witnessed just for intent,” Dlamini said.
“The Constitution of the country provides for demonstrations as long as they are within legal boundaries.
“The same Constitution does not demand the public to seek permission to demonstrate, but only compels the citizens to notify the responsible authorities, that is the police.”
Dlamini said after such communication was received by the authorities, they were obliged to provide security to ensure the safety of the demonstrators.
“Zanu PF regime has, however, operated on the wrong side of the Constitution for decades now, in the process impeding on civic rights as well as further squeezing and closing the ever diminishing democratic space in the country,” he said.
“All this has been happening in the full glare of Sadc and many elections have been stolen by the Zanu PF regime with the bloc looking aside when it could have admonished the rogue regime and inculcated democratic principles among member States.”
He dismissed claims by the government that dissent in Zimbabwe is sponsored by foreigners.
“We implore the government to release all activists who are detained for political reasons and call for observance, protection and promotion of political and civil rights in the country,” Dhlamini said.
“Zapu is against coups, as well as involvement of the army in politics. The deployment of the army in a country that is not at war is synonymous with a regime that runs scared of its people.”
