President Mugabe of Zimbabwe Slams Violence

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe meets with African elections observers on Thursday, April 3, 2008.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

President slams violence

By Sydney Kawadza
Zimbabwe Herald

President Mugabe has condemned the violence that erupted at Mupedzanhamo in Mbare and claimed the life of a stakeholder, Mrs Martha Chitambira, describing it as deplorable and divisive especially after the formation of the inclusive Government.

Addressing members of the Chitambira family in Harare yesterday, President Mugabe said the attacks were planned by "gangs" who wanted to cause divisions in the country.

"Munhu haangofa asi anofa nekuda kwaMwari, vamwe vanofa nekurwara asi vamwe vanofa nekuti hupenyu hunenge hwaguma.

"Rufu urwu rwakarwadza nekuti vakanga vakarongerwa nemagang ekuMupedzanhamo angaakaronga kutema vanhu.

"These violent acts are deplorable because they cause division especially when the victims plan to revenge," he said.

President Mugabe said the family was probably itching for revenge, but that should not happen in the country.

"Taremerwa nemutoro wanga usingafanire kutiwana asi ndizvo zvinoita munyika medu nehupenzi hwatirikuratidzwa munyika muno," he said.

He paid tribute to the late Mrs Chitambira for working hard to unite the family with its relatives.

"Vanga vane rudo rwakatipa ruzivo pahukama hwedu. Tanga tine hukama hwakasimba. Nguva dzose vaiuya kuzobata maoko kana kwafiwa nekusangana navo kuchurch kuRoma kwatinopinda," he said.

President Mugabe said he would continue working with the late Mrs Chitambira’s husband, Leonard, and his family.

He urged family members to take a leaf from Mrs Chitambira’s exemplary life.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Chitambira’s son, Christopher, challenged those responsible for his mother’s death to come clean.

"We want the person responsible for her death to come out and make peace with the family," he said.

Mrs Chitambira died on September 23 after what began as a peaceful march to denounce the reorganisation of Mupedzanhamo and other city markets turned violent.

On that fateful day, Mrs Chitambira (70) was part of more than 500 protestors against the closure of Mupedzanhamo Flea Market in line with Harare City Council’s resolution.

She was hit by a missile on the back of the head and sustained a serious gash leading to excessive blood loss and internal bleeding that affected part of her brain.

Several members of the public were injured, treated and later discharged from Harare Central Hospital.

Six vehicles were reportedly damaged in the commotion.

Police arrested 12 people after the incident while a manhunt is in progress for four other suspects who were on the run. If apprehended, the suspects are likely to be charged with murder.

Harare City Council has announced plans to temporarily close vending markets to allow for re-organisation and re-allocation of the stalls after allegations that some former city commissioners, politicians and business executives owned up to 10 stalls each at the expense of genuine traders.

Council argues that the markets should be allocated to the poor and vulnerable residents who have no other source of livelihood.

However, there are allegations that some rich and influential people are also operating some market stalls.