We, the Botswana Council of Churches (BCC), the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations
(BOCONG0), the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), DITSHWANELO0 The
Botswana Centre for Human Rights and the Media Institute of Southerm Africa (MISA), members of
BOCISCOZ, note with deep concerm the recent violence and loss of life in Zimbabwe.
On 27 February 2022, a gang reportedly appeared at Mbizo 4 shopping centre in Kwekwe, where there was
a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) political rally. The gang's efforts to prevent people from attending
the rally soon turned violent. Mboneni Ncube who is a supporter of the CCC, died after being stabbed,
while at least 22 others were seriously injured . It is reported that Zimbabwe opposition leader Nelson
Chamisa said the violent attacks by Zanu-PF supporters were provocative and intended to plunge the
country into bloodshed and instability. A Zimbabwean journalist reported that Tendai Biti' s home was
attacked by four (4) men with axes and a gun and they attacked the guard'. This happened on 2 March 2022
around midnight. Tenda Biti is the Vice President of Citizens Coalition for Change.
We remain opposed to and condemn the infringement of the rights of citizens, regardless of their political
standing. We continue to emphasize the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association and to
vote for a leader of one's choice.
We are concerned with the ZANU PF attacks on opposition party members and call for immediate action
by the Zimbabwean government.
We urge the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to take the lead in condemning
politically-motivated acts of violence in our SADC region.
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