We say No to violence, we condemn the conduct of the Police

July 15, 2016

Source: Gays & Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)

GALZ would like to express dismay and shock at the prevailing climate of violence, harassment and impunity in Zimbabwe. GALZ joins civil society and human rights organisations in calling for an end to the use of excessive force by the police who assaulted and arbitrarily arrested peaceful protesters on the 4th and 6th of July 2016.

We would like to reaffirm our abhorrence for any form of organised violence against the citizens of this country and we insist that such incidents must never again be repeated.

Citizens in Zimbabwe are not puppets or agents of foreign forces, as Government would have everyone believe: we want a responsible Government that is responsive to the needs of all Zimbabweans and we are fighting for our own good and for our own benefit as citizens of Zimbabwe.

GALZ calls on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to act swiftly to condemn and investigate the conduct of the Police during this peaceful protest. We also call on the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the conduct of police whose unwarranted use of torture on the peaceful protesters.

In all these peaceful protests, there is one message that is loud and clear: Zimbabweans now realise that Governments and leaders belong to them and that people do not belong to their rulers.

"The determined efforts, and spirited focus by Zimbabweans from all paths and circles of life against authoritarianism as epitomised by #Tajamuka, #ThisFlag, churches, political parties, individuals etc just transmits a 'zing' of confidence, hope and dawn of a new dispensation from my skull nerves to my balls right to the tip of my foot. Authoritarianism and the despotic dispensation are under electrocution."
- Adolf, Kubatana subscriber in reply to our question asking what keeps people inspired during these tough times

" It was good and permissible when the flag since 1980 was carried by every Harry and Tom to Rufaro Stadium or National Sports Stadium to support Zimbabwe's national team the Warriors. It is good and permissible when the flag is carried about by women and children flocking to the airport to routinely receive the President from his many foreign travels. It is good and permissible if the flag is mutilated and redesigned on the party regalia of the country's self-acclaimed LIFE RULING SINGLE PARTY. It is now bad and not permissible when it is carried by those who demand that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives and years in the liberation struggle be respected by those in power through fighting corruption; practising good governance; public accountability by bringing to book those who are responsible for the missing $15 billion diamond revenues; fiscal austerity by cutting down on the many annual trips the President embarks on; by cutting on extravagance through avoiding the purchase of expensive Range Rovers when the govt is very broke to the point of asking for financial help from those it says are destabilising the economy and country."
- Zvakwana Taneta