Several people had come in the repression of protests in Zimbabwe were killed. Now the President of the African country wants to investigate whether the police has the wrong behavior.
A week after heavy clashes at opposition protests in Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced an investigation into the violence of the security forces. Violence or misconduct on the part of the police or the military were “unacceptable” and would have to be examined, said the head of state on Twitter. “If necessary, roll heads,” said Mnangagwa. At the same time he also condemned the “wanton violence” of the protesters.
“This is not a peaceful Protest,”
The protests in mid-January, prices were directed against the drastic increase of the fuel and have been exacerbated by Worries about high unemployment and shortages of cash, food and medicines. The increase in the petrol prices was “not a decision we have taken lightly,” said Mnangagwa. But it is “right”. “What followed was unfortunate and tragic.”
“Everyone has the right to protest, but this was no peaceful Protest,” said Mnangagwa. Rather, it has been a “wanton violence and cynical destruction”.
A picture of the protests in mid-January. The police took harsh action against protesters.
the police and the army had responded with great hardness to the protests. According to the Zimbabwe human rights forum, at least twelve people were killed and 78 more due to gunshot wounds treated. In addition, more than 240 cases of assault and torture had been registered. Around 700 people were arrested as a result.
the actions of the security forces attracted international criticism. The police and the army were, however, of allegations of misconduct.
The Land in southern Africa is currently in its worst economic crisis since ten years. Because of the unrest Mnangagwa had shortened on Sunday evening, a trip abroad, and at the last Minute his participation at the world economic forum in Davos cancelled.
