Samuel Kanyon Doe (May 6, 1951 – September 9, 1990) was a Liberian politician who served as the Liberian leader from 1980 to 1990, first as a military leader and later as a civilian.
Samuel Kanyon Doe came to power in a violent manner and lost power the same violent way. Doe was taken to Johnson’s military base. To prove that he was not protected by black magic, Johnson ordered that his ears be cut off in Johnson’s presence, and he chewed one of them, then some of Doe’s fingers and toes were also cut off. After 12 hours of torture at Johnson’s hands.
Doe was finally murdered; his corpse was exhibited naked in the streets of Monrovia where they spilled dirty water on his head. Doe’s body was later exhumed and reburied. The spectacle of his torture was video-taped and seen on news reports around the world.
The Tonse Alliance was partly ushered into power by violent demos led by one no other than ironically now Minister of reconciliation Timothy Mtambo. That was his reward.
Now, The State, through the office of the Attorney General, intends to withdraw a case in which former HRDC Chairperson Timothy Mtambo and others are being accused of soliciting others to shut down state residences in the country.
Timothy Mtambo was arrested in March this year alongside other leaders Gift Trapence and Reverend MacDonald Sembereka.
In April, the High Court granted a stay order stopping hearing of the case pending judicial review after the trio argued through one of its lawyers Khumbo Soko that the arrests might have been politically motivated.
But in a latest twist, the state wants to withdraw from the case altogether according to one of the lawyers for the three, Khwima Mchizi.
They say governments lose power the same way they come into power. Precedent has been set.
