Govt Urged To Compensate Victims Of August 2018 Army Killings

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiCZ) says the government should compensate the families of people who were killed by soldiers on 1 August 2018 in Harare as recommended by an international inquiry established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Monday, 1 August 2022, marked the fourth anniversary of the killing of six civilians and injuries to dozens of others when the government unleashed soldiers from the Presidential Guard on MDC people who were protesting delayed presidential election results. CiCZ chairperson Peter Mutasa said:

There must be payment – through a select committee to be set up by the government – of compensation for losses and damages caused.

… in particular (there is a need for) support and school fees for the children of the deceased and to have electoral reforms.

(we also need) the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) systems, to among other things enhance the transparent and expeditious announcement of election results.

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The international panel led by former South Africa president Kgalema Motlanthe recommended, among other things, compensation for victims.

Mutasa also demanded the prosecution of those responsible for killing unarmed civilians to ensure there is no repeat of the 2018 post-election killings. He said:

We need accountability in respect of the alleged perpetrators as well as nation-building and reconciliation, including an initiative for multi-party dialogue and cooperation.

As Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, we implore President Emmerson Mnangagwa to honour his pledge for a new dispensation and ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry.

A report by advocacy group Veritas says families of those who were killed, and people who suffered physical injuries, are yet to be compensated. It said:

An inter-ministerial committee was set up in 2019 to implement this (compensation) and other recommendations of the Commission, but the compensation fund has not been established.

Compensation has been paid to some victims who suffered property damage caused by rioters, but families of those who were killed, and people who suffered physical injuries, have not been compensated.

This is inexplicable since those who were killed and injured by the military and police were identified and named in the Commission’s report.

More: NewZimbabwe.com