Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa Appoints Team To Probe Post-Election Violence

Emmerson Mnangagwa

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday appointed former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe to lead an inquiry into post-election violence when the army opened fire and six people were killed.

The seven-member commission has been tasked with investigating events around anti-fraud protests on August 1 when the military used live rounds on the streets of the capital Harare.

The election was meant to relaunch the country and attract foreign investment after the end of Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule last year, but was marred by the army shooting and allegations of electoral fraud.

Mnangagwa, a former close ally of Mugabe, told reporters that the commission would “identify the actors and their leaders, their motive and strategies employed in the protests.”

He said the commission would also investigate the “circumstances which necessitated the involvement of the military.”

Mnangagwa, who narrowly won the July 30 election, has previously blamed the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party for the violence.

The inquiry team includes Nigerian former Commonwealth secretary-general Emeka Anyaoku, British lawyer Rodney Dixon and Tanzanian former defence forces chief Davis Mwamunyange.

Three members of the commission are Zimbabwean, two university professors and a lawyer.

The team has six months to investigate and report back to Mnangagwa.





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