« However, this important serenity was watered down on 1 August 2018 when some men and women expressed themselves in the streets. They demanded election results before the lapse of the five day period as stipulated in the constitution. Zimbabwe security apparatus comprising the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) responded by firing live ammunition into the crowds of demonstrating men and women killing at least six people. « Whilst not condoning the use of violence when citizens express themselves, the use of live ammunition on unarmed civilians was too extreme. Zimbabweans have legitimate right to freedom of expression as given by section 61 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20). « Zimbabwe experienced worst demonstrations in, for example, 1998; 2008 and most recently, in 2017. In all these circumstances, the ZDF and ZRP tried to preserve human life. As Church, we condemn the killing of the demonstrators and all the ruthless force used by the ZDF and ZRP on 1 August 2018 to undermine human life and human dignity. We equally blame the use of violent protest and destruction of property when citizens have grievances. « Regretting that the elections of Zimbabwe have degenerated into violent conflict and loss of life over the outcome, CCJPZ: ● Reminds everybody that we are all equal. We were created in the image of God who loved us first and created us in his own image (Genesis 1:27). Human life and human dignity has been undermined by giving each other political labels or because we belong to different political parties. We remain one and God's in our diversity ● Asks the ZDF and ZRP to apologize for the excessive use of force to the nation and the bereaved families that lost their loved ones in the shooting. Saying ―sorry would open doors for healing and rebuilding of intimate relationship between citizens and their defense forces. ● Appeals to all Zimbabweans to refrain from violent protests ● Requests Zimbabwe security forces - ZDF and ZRP – to respect human life and avoid using live ammunition to retrain unarmed civilians ● Propose the need of an inclusive, objective internally constructed process to resolve the immediate electoral conflict ● Recognizes the Churches of Zimbabwe as available mediation resource for all-sides confidential dialogue in the short, medium and long term ● Invites everybody to understand that Zimbabwe's crisis is deeper than those emanating from the elections. There is need for a holistic national peace and reconciliation process that goes beyond electoral disputes ● Requests leaders of all political parties to avail themselves to the safe space promised by the Church for confidence building process and agenda of peace and inclusion to address the immediate and deeper problems affecting the Zimbabwe we all want. 6.2.2 The Commission of Inquiry to Inquire into the Post Election Violence that took place on 1 August 2018 in Zimbabwe Following the post-election incident that occurred on 1 August 2018, the President, using Statutory 37 Instrument 181 of 2018, established a seven member commission of inquiry to (a) inquire into the circumstances leading to the 1st of August, 2018 post-election violence; (b) identify the actors and their leaders, their motive and strategies employed in the protests; (c) inquire into the intervention by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the maintenance of law and order; (d) investigate the circumstances which necessitated the involvement of the military in assisting in the maintenance of law and order; (e) consider whether the degree of force used was proportionate to the ensuing threat to public safety, law and order; (f) ascertain the extent of damage or injury caused thereof; (g) to investigate into any other matter which the Commission of Inquiry may deem appropriate and relevant to the inquiry; (h) to make suitable recommendations; and (i) report to the President in 37 Rodney Dixon, Queen's Counsel from the United Kingdom; Chief Emeka Anyouko, former Commonwealth Secretary-General from the Federal Republic of Nigeria; General Davis Mwamunyange, former Chief of Defence Forces of the Tanzania People's Defence Force; Charity Manyeruke, Professor of Political Science University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Lovemore Madhuku, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Zimbabwe; Vimbai Nyemba, Former President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe with Kgalema Motlanthe, former South African President, as the head of the Commission. Also see https://www.herald.co.zw/post-poll-violence-hearings-begin-witnesses-nail-mdc-alliance-supporters-fordestroying-property/ Accessed on 17 October 2018 43