WeeklySA_AdminForce: Judges lash at disproportionate use of force and murder of people by the police
By AIM
The second most voted presidential candidate in the October 9, 2024 ballot, Venâncio Mondlane, has accepted the invitation made by the Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi, for dialogue and to overcome the post-election crisis that has taken hold in the country.
The invitation for dialogue was extended to three other candidates and aimed to find solutions to the post-election crisis, marked by popular demonstrations, called by Mondlane, which often end up degenerating into violence. In a live broadcast at the weekend on his Facebook page, from an unknown location, Mondlane promised to send a letter to the Office of the Head of State in the early hours of Friday with the proposed agenda of the points he would like to see on the table for debate, with the aim of finding solutions to stop the violent demonstrations that are plunging the country into an unprecedented post-electoral crisis. According to the presidential candidate who is protesting the election results through popular demonstrations on the streets, he had received around 40 thousand letters (emails) from Mozambican citizens and others over the last seven days, proposing ways forward to continue fighting for the alleged electoral justice.
Mondlane said he had filtered and harmonized all the ideas, which resulted in the points that he would take to the Office of the President of the Republic for debate at the meeting scheduled for the 26th of this month, with other presidential candidates, namely, Daniel Chapo from Frelimo, the ruling party, Ossufo Momade from Renamo, the largest opposition party and Lutero Simango from the Democratic Movement of Mozambique.
Meanwhile, the Mozambican Association of Judges (AMJ) has condemned the disproportionate use of force by the Police and the murder of defenceless people during demonstrations called by the independent presidential candidate Mondlane.
The demonstrations, which have been taking place since 21 October, 2024 were also aimed at protesting against the murder of Mondlane’s lawyer, Elvino Dias, and Paulo Guambe, an election agent for Podemos (Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique).
According to the anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), during the four phases of demonstrations over 60 people have lost their lives as a result of the security force’s disproportionate use of force against demonstrators.
According to the AMJ statement, the death of defenceless citizens, shot by police officers, occurred “in a very disproportionate act and a total lack of police restraint.”
“The demonstrations turned into a scene of extreme violence, with irreparable human damage and huge material losses, when it was expected that they would take place within a legal-constitutional framework of strict mutual respect for the fundamental rights of all those involved”. However, the judges also condemned those people who took advantage of the demonstrations to loot stores and destroy public and private infrastructures.
“We also condemn the actions of citizens who, instead of exercising their rights peacefully, engage in acts of destruction of public and or private property and even obstruct the movement of others. Killing, injuring, destroying or stealing are crimes of a public nature, which the Attorney-General’s Office (PGR) must investigate and file criminal proceedings against all those involved, without any exception”, says the AMJ document.
The judges also called on all of society to act in accordance with the rule of law and democracy.
“All citizens, political actors, defence and security forces and other competent institutions must act with respect for the fundamental rights of the human being.” – AIM
MIRROR Briefs
ROADS BOSS FIRED
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), Gabriel Maluleke, has been fired for corruption and misconduct.
In a statement, the department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure said Maluleke was found guilty of dishonesty, financial misconduct, negligence and contravention of the Public Funds Management Act. Maluleke’s dismissal follows a disciplinary hearing into his conduct.
In July, the RAL board was dissolved after Premier Phophi Ramathuba publicly complained about the entity’s tendency to commit to building roads without an approved budget.
Maluleke was then placed under precautionary suspension effective from August 30, 2024. He challenged his suspension and the court ordered his reinstatement. The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure expressed disappointment and shock at the ruling, vowing to appeal the decision.
The department cited concerns over potential uncertainty, confusion and panic that could irreparably damage RAL’s operations.
Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Ernest Rachoene says the dismissal of the CEO is one of the measures taken to fix RAL, which has overcommitted on projects worth more than R1.3 billion. Rachoene said the entity is pursuing other interventions, including investigations into more claims of maladministration. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
DIAMOND CASE: NO BAIL
The wife of diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg has been denied bail in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court .
Dezzi Liebenberg had been awaiting the outcome of her bail hearing since 15 November, 2024 following the couple’s arrest in October this year.
According to the magistrate, she failed to meet the burden of proof required to show that her release on bail would serve the interests of justice.
This implies that the evidence or reasoning she provided was inadequate or unconvincing under the applicable legal standard.
She and her husband, Louis, are among nine accused of 42 charges of fraud, theft, racketeering and money laundering. She has pleaded not guilty.
Dezzi will be remanded in custody until at least 4 February, 2025 and will now await the outcome of her husband’s bail application which will be heard on 25 November. The State had opposed bail, previously arguing that she should be considered a flight risk because she was afraid, having lost her private protection service. It was further argued that the 50-year-old woman was on the verge of being evicted from her accommodation, having received her deposit and notice to vacate.
Accompanying his wife during her bail application, Louis was thrown out of court on Thursday, then later sang loudly from the cells as the magistrate spoke. – Fullview
ILLEGALS IN SPAZA SCAM
A video is making rounds on social media of a South African woman who was allegedly caught registering a spaza shop for two foreign nationals.
According to a caption of the clip uploaded onto X (Twitter), the men are said to be in the country illegally. The incident took place in the township of Sebokeng in Gauteng.
In the clip a man wearing a cap is seen interrogating a woman who is standing with the men suspected to be in the country illegally. He repeatedly asks her why she is helping the pair.
“You have their documents,” the man says and points to papers he has behind her back. “How can you as a South African come to register for Pakistanis?”The woman denies this and the man continues to prod, asking what she is there to do. One of the men attempts to get away and the man ropes him in and also questions him on what they are there to do.
“Sister our children have died, how can you be busy registering for these people? They said they came here with you. They don’t have anything on them but, you’re holding the papers.
“These are the people responsible for the deaths of our children and you are here with them. Why are South Africans like this?” The South African Criminal Justice System has warned that anyone who commits fraud to register a spaza shop for a foreigner will face the full brunt of the law. – SA News
ZUMA’S FINAL AXING.
The African National Congress (ANC) National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA) has upheld the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee to expel Jacob Zuma from the ANC.
Zuma was initially suspended from the ANC in January for endorsing the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party for the May 2024 elections. He was eventually expelled in July and opted to appeal the party’s decision. Confirming Zuma’s suspension, ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, said Zuma’s behaviour exemplified the highest form of ill-discipline and a direct assault on the historical mission of the ANC.
“By establishing and leading a rival political party, he abandoned the core values of organisational loyalty and collective accountability, converting himself into a tool for destabilisation.”
She added that as a former president of the ANC, Zuma was expected to embody the highest standards of disciplined leadership and advanced cadres who serve as guides and inspiration for all members of the movement and society.
“Instead, his actions have undermined the unity and cohesion of the movement at a time when it is critical to consolidate and push forward with organisational renewal and confront the pressing challenges facing South Africa. This severe breach of our organisational foundation necessitated his expulsion to safeguard the ANC’s integrity and ensure that the unity of the organisation remains in form and content,” Bhengu-Motsiri said. – SA News
