16 September 2009

The peace loving residents of the City of Harare castigate the Deputy Minister of Power and Energy Development Hubert Nyanhongo (ZANU PF) for issuing out a press statement that is tantamount to inciting public violence and disorder. CHRA declares that Nyanhongo’s statements are not only deplorable but are retrogressive and smack of a war mongering, primitive as well as a reckless political leader.

 Nyanhongo was incensed by the Harare City Council’s decision to review the allocation of council owned market at Mbare Musika, Machipisa and Mukuvisi. The review will result in the re-allocation of the market stalls using proper procedures.  The council made this decision following confirmed and valid reports that the market stalls were allocated on partisan basis by the previous councils and commissions. There have also been reports that political heavies own hundreds of market stalls, which they use to further their own individual and political party influence. On several occasions market stall operators have been forced to attend political rallies and gatherings or else they would loose the stalls. The partisan and multiple ownership of the market stalls greatly prejudices the poor residents who are in need of such empowerment. Consequently the Combined Harare Residents Association called upon the City Council at its inception to review the allocation of the market stalls.

Commenting on this decision by the council, Nyanhongo was quoted in the Herald (16 September 2009) saying, “…guns will blaze. Guns will be fired. We can command people to fight those people and drive them out of the city.” It is shocking and disappointing to note that a top government official could issue such provoking and inflammatory statements. It is clear that Mr. Nyanhongo has deliberate intentions to divide the residents and invoke violence. It is sad to note that Nyanhongo has been associated with public and political violence particularly in the March 2008 elections. There are reports that Nyanhongo’s supporters unleashed a violent campaign against Nyanhongo’s political opponents. Recently the ZANU PF elections for the leadership of the Harare province were characterized with orgy violence. ZANU PF had to nullify the results of the elections on the basis that there were associated with serious levels of violence. Nyanhongo was a contender in those elections. Thus the residents of Harare are not really shocked by Nyanhongo’s statements. However, CHRA demands the retraction of the statements and public apology by Honorable Nyanhongo within the next seven days. CHRA is mulling the appropriate course of action in the event that Hon Nyanhongo fails to honor this demand.