There is no doubt that August 2020 marked a turning point in the Zimbabwean situation. As noted in this report,
citizens, activists, the church, artists, women, men, children, the young and the old, got into a situation where
speaking out was the only option, and in response, the government unleashed its most easily reachable weaponry
– the judiciary, the state security, and its propaganda machinery. That was not helpful, as Zimbabweans, yearning
to enjoy their freedoms, and hoping to see economic transformation, continued to speak out in the face of brazen
brutality. In all this, it is therefore critical that the path this country takes, is towards nothing but a peaceful,
conclusive resolution to the current human rights and economic challenges, and a solution where the ultimate
winner are the people of Zimbabweans, the millions that deserve a respect of human rights, equal opportunities
and a transparent and prosperous Zimbabwe. ZPP therefore recommends the following:
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While the announcement by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that he is redeploying an envoy to
meet all stakeholders in Zimbabwe are welcome, the situation, as highlighted in this report, requires that the
envoy be as inclusive as possible. The governing party in South Africa the ANC has also indicated intention
to engage its sister party Zanu PF. Zimbabwe’s crisis is not about the politics only, neither is it an internal
Zanu PF issue. The country’s problems, as highlighted in this and previous reports, as well as in other
submissions by various groups and individuals, are about the fundamental need to return to
Constitutionalism, where, for example, the state security plays its role in protecting citizens, and does not
act as an appendage of the ruling party, and where all citizens enjoy their rights within a situation of nondiscrimination and equal opportunities. In that regard, it is therefore important that the envoy not only meets
political players, but consult diplomats, civil society, church, special interest groups, the media, business
and industry. Inclusivity helps to make their process to resolution get the ownership of the people of
Zimbabwe, because without that, their mission becomes just another fishing expedition.
•
ZPP commends the people of Zimbabwe for continuing to speak out, and recommends that this must not
end. The solution to Zimbabwe’s problems primarily lies with every Zimbabwean, and while there can be
regional and international interventions, it takes every Zimbabwean to speak out, as only that can extricate
the country from the current crisis. The #ZimbabweanLivesMatter and other pro-democracy campaigns
should continue to shine the light on where the problems are.
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