SW Radio Africa
A leading opposition legislator has said government can introduce as many laws as it wants but that will not stop the people’s quest for freedom and liberty.
Responding to government’s introduction of a new law to curb acts of international terrorism in the country David Coltart, MDC MP for Bulawayo South, said he had no doubt the new legislation will be used against people opposed to the tyranny of the regime and those opposed to its corruption and mismanagement.
Facing mounting pressure from opposition parties and civic groups government has responded by crafting a new law that could see opponents convicted of plotting to overthrow it, getting life sentences.
The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill (2006), published in the state controlled Herald Monday will provide for the curtailment of foreign and international terrorism, including mercenary activity.
Under the proposed legislation, it would be an offence to undergo training for foreign or international terrorism, to recruit persons to undergo such training, or to possess weaponry that would be used for the purposes of foreign or international terrorist activity.
Given that the ruling regime enjoys a comfortable majority in Parliament the proposed law is likely to sail through without a hitch.
Coltart said he is suspicious of it and wondered whether the legislation will be used for other purposes other than tracking down Al-Qaeda operatives and genuine terrorists.
‘For instance in November 2001, the government described me as a terrorist because it alleged I was involved in the disappearance of Cain Nkala,’ he said.
Coltart, a lawyer by profession, said the definition of terrorism by the Zimbabwe government was very different to what the rest of the civilised and democratic world call terrorists.
‘The regime’s conduct over the last two years shows it has really not been interested in dealing with domestic terrorism, so one has to question whether they are genuinely interested in dealing with foreign terrorism.’
By: Tichaona Sibanda