Zimbabwe: Urgent investigation needed into stoning to death of opposition activist

Tinashe Chitsunge was reportedly killed as he fled suspected ZANU-PF mob in Harare yesterday

Ongoing violence poses serious threat to 23 August election

‘The authorities must take all necessary steps to prevent acts of politically-motivated violence’ - Khanyo Farisè

Responding to news of the killing of Tinashe Chitsunge, an opposition Citizens Coalition for Change activist in the Zimbabwe capital Harare yesterday, allegedly at the hands of ruling ZANU-PF supporters, Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International’s Southern Africa Deputy Director, said:

“The fatal attack on Tinashe Chitsunge paints a grim picture of the human rights environment in Zimbabwe ahead of general elections scheduled for 23 August.

“The authorities must take all necessary steps to prevent acts of politically-motivated violence and refrain from issuing inflammatory statements that could incite similar attacks or deter people from freely exercising their human rights.

“They must ensure a peaceful environment before, during and after the elections by fully respecting, protecting, promoting and fulfilling the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association and expression.

“We call on Zimbabwe’s authorities to promptly launch a thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation into Tinashe Chitsunge’s death and ensure that the suspected perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Stoned to death

Tinashe Chitsunge was reportedly stoned to death by ZANU-PF activists in the Glen View South suburb of Harare yesterday. He was reportedly attacked while trying to flee from a suspected ZANU-PF mob, which was attacking opposition activists who had gathered to hold a rally. Zimbabwe has a long history of election violence, with opposition parties repeatedly accusing ZANU-PF of being behind the attacks.