HARARE – Heal Zimbabwe Trust has urged the country’s security forces to live up to their oath to observing the constitution as it moved Tuesday to call out elements within the country’s defence forces for visiting forms of terror against the population.
In a statement to mark the Defence Forces Day on Tuesday, the peace based NGO said Zimbabwe’s armed forces were failing to practise the same level of professionalism they often show during their deployment on peacekeeping missions outside.
The NGO was also disheartened the country’s security forces have dumped professionalism and turned partisan in their discharge of their constitutional mandate.
“Section 211(3) of the Constitution demands that they respect fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons, be nonpartisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to civilian authority,” Heal Zimbabwe said.
“These constitutional demands have not been followed as members of the defence forces have been accused of involvement in civilian politics and a litany of human rights violations with impunity.”
The organisation, whose work involves providing psychosocial support to victims of any forms of violence and emotional trauma, said it was worrisome that soldiers who shot and killed demonstrators for demanding the release of election results August 2018 were yet to face justice.
“5 years after August 1 2018, the Motlanthe Commission recommendations on an audit and publication of the military standing orders on riot control have not been implemented,” Heal Zimbabwe said.
“There has not been any accountability on the members of the defence forces responsible for the deaths of unarmed civilians in 2018.”
Heal Zimbabwe said it was unfortunate that citizens continued living at the mercy of the military without recourse and justice.
“Today, our people continue to live in fear and insecurity due to the intimidating presence of the military in rural communities especially during the election season.
“This has created a permanent state of siege, fear and loss of confidence in our defence forces,” said Heal Zimbabwe.
The organisation recommended that there be political, administrative and legal security sector reforms to ensure the military is nonpartisan and stands guided by the dictates of the national constitution.
Added the organisation: “Our defence forces must constantly engage the public in communities to restore trust and confidence, building a people’s force loyal to the people and ready to uphold and defend the constitution.
“Our people must be assured of their security and the protection of their fundamental rights, particularly the security of their right to vote freely in rural areas affected by violence.”
Established in 2009 with a mission to prevent and transform conflicts in Zimbabwe with a particular focus on social justice and human rights protection.
