The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) on Wednesday called on the government to halt using the police and army to indiscriminately shoot at protesting civilians.
ZCC reiterated the point that demonstrating was a constitutional right and pleaded with the security agents to stop shooting civilians.
The call comes after doctors treated hundreds of people who were wounded by live ammunition as the country was engulfed by protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s austerity measures. ZCC said in statement:
The church pleads with those in the security sector to stop shooting civilians. We reject the use of violence and intimidation against those citizens exercising their democratic rights and fundamental freedoms in peace.
The church also urges all citizens of goodwill to assist those injured and comfort the bereaved.
The church also calls upon all public health facilities to ensure that all those affected will access immediate help and treatment without discrimination.
Regrettably, citizens’ protests and acts of civil disobedience have degenerated into violence, destruction of property, injury and loss of life.
Information at hand suggests that some of those who got injured and killed were from gunshot wounds.
At this moment of despair, Zimbabweans long for their leaders in government and all other sectors to show urgency and leadership in addressing their concerns. They are seeking confidence that their situation will be improved sooner than later.
Many Zimbabweans desire a just distribution of both gains of living in Zimbabwe as it goes through this transition. The current situation cannot continue like this.
The government has however vowed to crush the protests, labelling the protestors terrorists.
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