MDC sets up Commission of Inquiry

By Tichaona Sibanda

4 July 2006

The Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC has set up an independent internal inquiry to investigate the assault on Harare north legislator, Trudy Stevenson.

Secretary-general Tendai Biti said in a statement released Tuesday that they have noted with dismay that Zanu PF and others are trying to make political capital out of this unfortunate event.

Part of the statement reads: ‘Whilst we condemn the attack, which we dismiss as barbaric, we equally condemn the attempt to convict other persons and political parties without any due process. We are also mindful of Zanu PF’s capacity to manufacture violence in a bid to create a wedge in the democratic movement. There is no question that in the past, the CIO has been at the center of manufacturing evidence and issues in a bid to implicate the opposition. One recalls the treason trial of Ndabaningi Sithole. These old-fashioned divide-and-rule tactics will not fool us.”

In a bid to establish the truth the MDC have appointed advocate Happias Zhou to chair the enquiry. The team also consists of two prominent lawyers, Irene Petras of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Kay Ncube of Gill Godlonton and Gerrans while Kudakwashe Matibiri is the secretary.

Biti added; ‘We hope and trust that the Commission, which begins its work with immediate effect, shall work with speed and be ready to present its findings at the end of July. We also hope and trust that the police shall also act with speed and bring the culprits to book so that they are brought before the courts.’