Nick Mangwana implores human rights defenders to make noise over Bulawayo shooting

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana has implored human rights defenders to make noise after Bulawayo Council police shot and injured vendors yesterday.

Mangwana says the silence by human rights defenders is worrying.

“Yesterday @CityofBulawayo shot and seriously injured common people trying to eke a living.

“One still has bullet lodged in his groin. The deafening silence from the so-called “Human Rights Defenders” betrays their politics.

“Do human rights violations have a totem now?” He says.

His comments came after three people were injured in Bulawayo Central Business District on Wednesday morning when municipal police fired rubber bullets at disgruntled vendors.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the injured are admitted at United Bulawayo Hospitals. He said:

“The ZRP confirms a shooting incident in which three people were injured after Bulawayo City Council Police fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd that had gathered to demonstrate against an operation targeting illegal vendors in Bulawayo CBD on 23/01/23 in the morning.

“The injured are admitted at United Bulawayo Hospitals.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said more details about the shooting incident will be released in due course.

According to journalist Zenzele Ndebele, ZANU PF activists were moving along 5th Street from Robert Mugabe Street to Lobengula Street checking if the vendors are registered to vote. He tweeted:

“Less than 45Min after @CityofBulawayo municipal police removed vendors on 5th Ave. ZANU PF Nehanda District Chairman Josiah Mutangi addressed the vendors at the large city hall and told them to go back to their vending places.”

Zwnews