Connect with us

Foreign News

Zimbabwe leader Emmerson Mnangagwa: says ‘Heads will roll’ after brutal crackdown on protesters

Published

on

Emmerson Mnangagwa

The Zimbabwe presiden, Emmerson Mnangagwa says he will investigate the alleged torture of demonstrators after unrest over steep fuel price rises.

Zimbabwe’s president has vowed “heads will roll” if he finds wrongdoing by security forces after a brutal crackdown on protesters in the African country. Emmerson Mnangagwa says he will investigate reports of violence against demonstrators after the country’s human rights commission said they were “systematically tortured”.

Human rights groups say at least a dozen people were killed amid protests over a steep rise in fuel prices, prompting fears that Zimbabwe is sliding back into authoritarian rule.  Police have so far only confirmed three deaths.

After cutting short an overseas tour due to unrest in his home country, Mr Mnangagwa said violence by security forces was “unacceptable and a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe”.

“Chaos and insubordination will not be tolerated,” he wrote on his Twitter page. “Misconduct will be investigated. If required, heads will roll.”

Mr Mnangagwa said he defended people’s right to demonstrate but said “this was not a peaceful protest”. “Wanton violence and cynical destruction; looting police stations, stealing guns and uniforms; incitement and threats of violence,” he said.

“This is not the Zimbabwean way.” Protests erupted last week after Mr Mnangagwa  nicknamed The Crocodile – announced fuel prices would be more than double, making Zimbabwe’s petrol the most expensive in the world.

His government has blamed the unrest on the opposition, despite witness accounts of security forces opening fire on crowds and killing or wounding bystanders, including a 17-year-old. More than 600 people were arrested for alleged public order offences, including at least four politicians from the opposition MDC party.

The Zimbabwe government also blocked access to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and the messaging service of WhatsApp.

Evan Mawarire, a pastor who rose to prominence as a critic of former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe, is among those detained and faces a possible 20-year prison sentence on a subversion charge.

Mr Mawarire’s lawyer said more than 400 people had been denied bail and described the case against his client as a “travesty of justice”.

Before winning a contested election in July, Mr Mnangagwa promised a clean break with the 37-year rule of Mugabe, who used security forces to quell civilian protests before being forced out in a de facto coup in November 2017.

The MDC says Mr Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe ally, is now overseeing a return to authoritarian rule by using the same tactics.

 

Source: Sky news

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Foreign News

NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY

Published

on

NiDCOM BOSS HAILS DR. ELENITOBA-JOHNSON ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE US ACADEMY

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H
Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has congratulated Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson on his induction into the US National Academy of Medicine (NAM), describing it as “an honour well- deserved”.

In a statement by Abdur- Rahman Balogun, Director of Media,Public Relations and Protocols, stated that Dr. Elenitoba- Johnson has yet achieved another ground breaking milestone in the Medical world globally.

Dabiri-Erewa described the honour as a demonstration of his outstanding professional achievement and unwavering commitment to service in the medical field.

She applauded his constant research and studies on ways of ameliorating the needs of his patients which has earned him this great honour, the highest honour in the field of health and medicine.

The NiDCOM boss urged Elenitoba- Johnson not to be relentless in the discharge of his duty and to keep making Nigeria proud as hard work pays, an example being the honour he just got. 

She also prayed to God for protection and directions as he joins the League of Medical Professionals doing great things globally.

Dr. Kojo Elenitoba-Johnson, an international leader in the fields of Hematopathology and Molecular Genomic Pathology as well as a translational researcher also held leadership positions at the University of Utah, University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania.

National Academy of Medicine (NAM) works alongside with the National Academy of sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.

NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their services in National Academies activities.

Continue Reading

Foreign News

NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE

Published

on

NiDCOM BOSS CONGRATULATES GBENGA OGUNJIMI ON D.C’s HONOUR TO NIGERIAN CENTRE

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has congratulated Gbenga Ogunjimi on the honour bestowed on Nigerian Center, a center he established in the District of Columbia.

In a statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that October 1st has been declared as Nigerian American Day in Washington, D C .

The declaration was announced by the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Kimberly Bessett on behalf of D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser in celebration of the enormous work the center has provided to immigrants in D.C and uplifting the contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans in the District as well as nationwide Dabiri-Erewa applauded Gbenga on this milestones, describing it as the first of its kind in the District and a great honour to Nigeria.She encouraged him to keep up the good work while urging other Disporans to key into this feat and be the best in whatever they are doing as hard work, determination and dedication leads to greater success.

According to Ogunjimi, the Nigerian Center provides a variety of services like walk-in immigration support,IRS free tax counseling, pathway to Prosperity micri-loan program and Nigerian language training classes in collaboration with African Ancestry inc.

Continue Reading

Foreign News

Africa CDC Strengthens Laboratory Capacity for Mpox and Other Outbreaks in Burundi

Published

on

and referral processes while ensuring biosafety and biosecurity practices. These outcomes are crucial for an effective response to mpox outbreaks and generally contribute to strengthening sample referral and biosafety and biosecurity measures in Burundi.

Africa CDC has also strengthened Burundi’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak by donating critical equipment and materials.

The donation includes an Illumina MiniSeq sequencing system and reagents, a high-performance computer server, mpox qPCR testing kits, and other essential consumables.

In addition, the INSP team has been trained on molecular testing, sequencing, and interpretation of results.

“These resources provided, and skills built, will enhance the country’s molecular testing and sequencing capabilities, enabling accurate and timely detection and characterization of mpox cases and boosting the national testing and pathogen detection capacity,” said Dr. Yenew Kebede.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from August24news.com
This Website is designed and Managed by: August 24 Communications Nigerian Limited (RC: 798585)