‘Human rights’ lawyers offside

Livingstone Marufu Sunday Mail Reporter
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who portray themselves as human rights defenders, have turned a blind eye on vendors and other business people whose property was looted or destroyed in the recent violent demonstrations organised by opposition political parties.

Ironically, the organisation is reported to be providing free legal representation to perpetrators of that violence, while the chairman of the pro-MDC-T National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe, Mr Stenrick Zvorwadza, was arrested for allegedly participating in the disturbances.

The “protesters” were cleared by the High Court to “march for electoral reforms”, but soon attacked police, looted goods and burnt vehicles and property.

Vendors were among the biggest casualties as some of their wares were either burnt or stolen.

A number of them have vowed to accost the MDC-T, one of the parties involved in the demonstrations.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, ZLHR executive member Ms Roselyn Hanzi confirmed that the organisation is yet to help the affected.

“We are here to represent anyone who approaches us for help… We give everyone an opportunity to apply so that we can freely represent him or her. We can’t do anything if (vendors) haven’t approached us.

“We can’t force ourselves on those who don’t seek our assistance because we are not allowed to do that. In the past, we have represented many vendors, but this time, we haven’t as they didn’t approach us to seek our assistance.”