Bhekizulu Sibanda (27/01/10)

The GPA has brought so much political, social and economic stability, a fact, which can not be disputed, the GPA which has been warmly embraced by all forward minded Zimbabweans has witnessed so much political tolerance which has seen a marked reduction in incidents of political violence

As compared to the past when it was almost taboo for leaders of the three main political parties to be seen together, the advent of the Global Political Agreement has shoved it all to the dust bin of history, a sure sign of political maturity and its desirable that this momentum be maintained.

Sadly some ignoramus journalists have been thriving on criticizing government at the instigation of western powers and found it difficult to embrace the status –quo. This group will stop at nothing in painting a grotesque picture about the socio-political situation in the country.

In an attempt to achieve this stories are misconstrued to suit a certain audience and one such example is an article that was carried on Zimdisaspora UK under the headline “Outrage as MDC activist is murdered by Police.”

The article stings of cheap attempts to rubbish all gains that have achieved through the GPA. The article is a classic example of highly fabricated story that unfortunately has failed to get the attention the writer was clamoring for.

In the article the reporter wrote that one Peter Magombedze an MDC activist from Gokwe was murdered in broad daylight under the watchful eyes of the public at Tsungai Business Centre in Gokwe North.

In his story the writer points out that the deceased was clubbed to death by six police officers wielding AK47 riffles and baton sticks.

According to the writer, Magombedze was being beaten for being MDC because he does not say why else he was beaten.

It makes sad reading that the writer does not bother to get the police version of what transpired on the day in question to get a balanced a story.

This incident happened on 25 December 2009 and was written on the 19 January 2010 meaning the writer was not present and is relying on hearsay for their story the more reason for them to have got the police for a balanced view.

Instead of making the world believe that the Zimbabwe police force is in the habit of killing people for supporting MDC the truth should be told as is.

The death of Magombedzi can best be described as police brutality which no political connotations.

Magombedzi and his friends were drinking beer at the growth point and were involved in a scuffle with the police.

When the police made attempts to arrest him, Magombedzi refused to comply and was resisting arrest, during which time the police got physical

Unfortunately y during the wrangle Magombedzi must have been seriously hurt leading to his death on the 27 December 2009.

Police assaulted Magombedzi not because he was an MDC activist but because he was a civilian who was refusing to comply with police orders. Anyone could have been a victim despite their political affiliation if they had acted in a similar manner.

It makes sad reading that the writer fails to separate issues. He should have been condemning police brutality and not take it to mean political violence

Police are known to at time over exert themselves when dealing with civilians, and this case makes no exception.

Sometime end of last year, a municipal police officer beat a vendor to death and his death was attributed to police brutality without a political connotations.

Such presumptuous conclusions are only meant to taint ZANU (PF) as strange bedfellows, with no moral principles.

At any given opportunity such writers would want to describe ZANU (PF) as an unreliable and dishonest partner bent on manipulating its partners in the GPA, whilst the MDC is portrayed as naïve, coy and being taken advantage off.

But because the MDC is such an attention seeker and is in the habit of wailing and raising false alarm whenever it suits them, they have never made attempts to correct these false articles in as much as they have the truth, they have never made a deliberate attempt to set the record straight.

After the Prime Minister accident, the prophets of doom who were not anyway near the scene of the accident were quick to point out that it was a foul play and the Prime Minister had to put extra hours to dismiss these claims.

In the same vein when such cases come to the fore the MDC has a mandate to set the record straight and report issues as they are and shame this constituency of people who find gratification from writing falsehood about the Zimbabwean story.

Police brutality should never be condoned but should be exposed for what it is. It is when writers deliberately mix issues and attribute it to political murder that problems arise, giving prophets of doom the satisfaction that the GPA is merely a marriage of convenience