Mugabe’s minister acknowledges violence

HARARE – Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi on Wednesday acknowledged that opposition supporters were being victimised and admitted this could jeopardise on-going dialogue between the ruling Zanu – PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.

Sources told ZimOnline that Mohadi told senior MDC officials he met Wednesday morning at his offices to personally report to him acts of violence against members of the opposition party. “He (Mohadi) also undertook to study a dossier prepared by the MDC detailing all acts of violence against its supporters that took place after March,” said a government official who attended the meeting between Mohadi and the opposition officials.According to our source, MDC home affairs secretary Sam Sipepa immediately impressed upon Mohadi that to test the government’s sincerity, the opposition party would seek permission to hold a public demonstration.The police, who under state security laws must sanction all public demonstrations, have in the past banned the MDC from holding demonstrations although Zanu PF supporters are regularly allowed to march in the streets in support of President Robert Mugabe.Mohadi, who could not be reached for comment on the matter, reportedly promised to look into a request by the MDC to hold demonstrations.The meeting between Mohadi and MDC officials was held following the minister’s request to MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai that he wanted the opposition to corroborate statements that politically motivated violence was on the increase despite the South African brokered talks between the opposition party and Zanu PF.At a press conference soon after the meeting, Nkomo said they had impressed upon Mohadi that dialogue could only proceed well if Zanu PF desisted from acts of violence on the ground.ZimOnline”He (Mohadi) also undertook to study a dossier prepared by the MDC detailing all acts of violence against its supporters that took place after March,” said a government official who attended the meeting between Mohadi and the opposition officials.According to our source, MDC home affairs secretary Sam Sipepa immediately impressed upon Mohadi that to test the government’s sincerity, the opposition party would seek permission to hold a public demonstration.The police, who under state security laws must sanction all public demonstrations, have in the past banned the MDC from holding demonstrations although Zanu PF supporters are regularly allowed to march in the streets in support of President Robert Mugabe.Mohadi, who could not be reached for comment on the matter, reportedly promised to look into a request by the MDC to hold demonstrations.The meeting between Mohadi and MDC officials was held following the minister’s request to MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai that he wanted the opposition to corroborate statements that politically motivated violence was on the increase despite the South African brokered talks between the opposition party and Zanu PF.At a press conference soon after the meeting, Nkomo said they had impressed upon Mohadi that dialogue could only proceed well if Zanu PF desisted from acts of violence on the ground. ZimOnline