Motlanthe commission rejects critics

The seven-member commission of inquiry into Zimbabwe's post-election violence that claimed six lives in Harare has rejected its critics and defended the conclusion of the probe two weeks ahead of schedule. The commission, chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, submitted an executive summary of the report to President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week. The Herald reports that it was appointed on 29 August and given three months to produce the final report. Commission spokesperson John Masuku dismissed claims that it rushed to conclude the probe without affording the majority of the victims of the 1 August shootings a chance to testify. 'If the commission felt it has gathered sufficient evidence and testimonies to come up with a report on time, that is it,' said Masuku.