WASHINGTON DC —
President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday discussed the arrest of human rights activists and the detention of staff from the prime minister’s office and agreed this was tarnishing the image of the country, according.
According to Mr. Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka, the two leaders also discussed the behaviour of police officers in the country, which the prime minister had said is of concern.
President Mugabe is now expected to meet with Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to discuss the issue.
Mr. Tsvangirai is said to have confronted President Mugabe during their Monday principals meeting and told him that he was unhappy with the arrests of three members from his research department, the arrest of rights activists and others ahead of polls expected later this year.
Tamborinyoka said the leaders also discussed and agreed that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission be allowed to operate as it is mandated by the law.
The leaders are said to have also agreed that the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) must be allowed to work with the Southern African Development Community in making sure that all the outstanding issues are solved.
Tamborinyoka said JOMIC is expected to present a report Tuesday to the Cabinet to outline their operations.
The three principals are said to have also tasked Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Constitution and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga to work together and come up with a time-frame for the general elections.
He said there were no dates for the elections yet, contrary to what was recently announced by Chinamasa that the country will hold elections by June 29 this year.
According to Mr. Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka, the two leaders also discussed the behaviour of police officers in the country, which the prime minister had said is of concern.
President Mugabe is now expected to meet with Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to discuss the issue.
Mr. Tsvangirai is said to have confronted President Mugabe during their Monday principals meeting and told him that he was unhappy with the arrests of three members from his research department, the arrest of rights activists and others ahead of polls expected later this year.
Tamborinyoka said the leaders also discussed and agreed that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission be allowed to operate as it is mandated by the law.
The leaders are said to have also agreed that the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) must be allowed to work with the Southern African Development Community in making sure that all the outstanding issues are solved.
Tamborinyoka said JOMIC is expected to present a report Tuesday to the Cabinet to outline their operations.
The three principals are said to have also tasked Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Constitution and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga to work together and come up with a time-frame for the general elections.
He said there were no dates for the elections yet, contrary to what was recently announced by Chinamasa that the country will hold elections by June 29 this year.
