Opposition meets Home Affairs Minister over political violence

By Lance Guma
24 October 2007

Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi has told opposition officials he will investigate allegations of political violence directed at MDC activists by state security and Zanu PF supporters. MDC officials including Sam Sipepa Nkomo, Innocent Gonese, Nelson Chamisa and Welfare secretary Kerry Kay met the minister at his offices in Harare. Gonese told Newsreel they used the meeting to chronicle cases of politically motivated violence, which they felt was detrimental to the success of mediation talks being brokered by South Africa.

Asked how sincere the minister was in tackling an issue that involved a police force he controlled under the Home Affairs Ministry, Gonese gave indications that it was likely the CIO were a hidden hand in the violence. He said it was very possible for sections of the ruling party unhappy with the talks to try and sabotage them using the CIO. At a press conference held soon after the meeting MDC Home Affairs Secretary Sam Sipepa Nkomo said of Mohadi, ‘He assured us that once the investigation is over he will call us again to give us a full answer as to what he has discovered.’

Last week the opposition threatened to pull out of mediation talks if the violence against its supporters did not stop. Commentators immediately linked Mohadi’s request for a meeting with a desire for a PR offensive to appear concerned. Gonese also confirmed Mohadi’s insistence that the talks should be, ‘fruitful for the country and anything that will jeopardise (the talks) is not encouraged.’