Chronicle Editor
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE use of children, women or any form of vulnerable members of society, to execute or practice any form of violence or picketing is a crime and Government would not hesitate to prosecute those abusing those groups of people, a Cabinet Minister has said.
During protests that rocked the country last month, some children and women were seen looting and participating in the demonstrations. The protests saw scenes of violence, destruction of property and looting of goods and other essentials.
Speaking in Parliament recently, Zimbabwe’s Defence and War Veterans Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said enforcers of law must bring to book, criminal elements that not only part took in the violent activities that rocked the country but those that took advantage of vulnerable members of society in satisfying their criminal inclinations.
“Children are not to be used by organisations or people to participate in bad practices. The international law and Zimbabwean laws do not allow people to use children or youths in demonstrations. It is a practice that is widely unacceptable and disregarded. This then requires the Government to take measures to bring to book perpetrators. It causes the Government to take stern measures because it is its duty and responsibility to ensure the youth are not abused, through its organs,” she said.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the use or abuse of children was a punishable offence. There were several reports of children reported by various organisations throughout the country to have been used or abused in the January protests. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has also launched an investigation into gender-based dimensions of the disturbances of the January protests. In a statement, ZGC said it was concerned with the developments, where there were reports of abuse of the vulnerable people in society.
“The commission is thus collecting information to appreciate the inherent gender dynamics and respond accordingly. The commission to this end, instituted an investigation and is calling upon the victims, the general public and organisations to report any gender-based violations to the commission,” said the commission.
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