Concern over seizure of fire engines

Zimbabwe’s anti-sanctions lobby group, Broad Alliance Against Sanctions, has raised concern over the confiscation of 17 fire engines by Lithuania saying the seizure is a violation of human rights. The Herald reports government is also exploring all legal avenues, including international arbitration, to recover 17 fire tenders that were seized by Lithuania last year, while being shipped from neighbouring Belarus, which is under European Union sanctions, to Zimbabwe. The fire engines were seized in March 2023 at the Malku Bay seaport of Klaipeda in Lithuania. Alliance co-founder Calvin Chitsunge requested for the unconditional urgent release of the same as they were purchased by Zimbabwe. ‘To impound such machinery destined to serve the vulnerable members of society is totally unacceptable and daylight robbery to the Zimbabwean citizens. Impounding such equipment which is destined to the exact people who purchased and be a good boy to those not even privy to the value, is totally unacceptable,’ he said. The fire tenders were specifically meant for firefighting and emergency responses especially in rural areas. Confiscation, he said, undermined authorities from safeguarding life, properties and communities.