Chiwenga Did Not Order August 1 Killings: Justice Minister

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi denied that the High Court implicated Vice President Constantino Chiwenga in the August 1 killing of civilians in the Central Business District. Justice Mangota last week absolved President Mnangagwa from the shootings and seemed to lay the blame on the one who deployed the soldiers, the Minister Of Defence, who happened to be Chiwenga at the time. However, Ziyambi insists that it is the Commission of Inquiry which would identify who gave the orders. Ziyambi said

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.

More: Newsday

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