High Court judge, David Mangota did not order soldiers to kill civilians in August, according to Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi. “J...
High Court judge, David Mangota did not order soldiers to
kill civilians in August, according to Justice Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi.
“Justice Mangota was very clear in his ruling that the
police invoked the provisions of the Public Order and Security Act to quell the
disturbances. The motivation to request for assistance was not to kill. The
Minister of Defence in granting the request, wanted to help police maintain law
and order. The judgment is very clear.”
“He merely acceded to the request by the police for
assistance to quell the violent demonstrations. It is wrong to say that Vice
President Chiwenga ordered the killings when his ministry then simply accepted
the request from the police, people should not manipulate to say what they
want.”
Minister Ziyambi said Justice Mangota in his judgment
categorically said the President did not deploy the military because the police
invoked the provisions of POSA. The judge, he said, also ruled that the
commission of inquiry was properly constituted. The Commission of Inquiry is
chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe.
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