Justice remains a dream

Relatives and friends thronged to the church to remember Tonderayi Ndira, Abigail Chirioto, Better Chakururama, Godfrey Kauzami and Cain Nyevhe. Some people wept as friends narrated the lives of the ordinary youths immortalised by the brutal manner in which they died. Their murderers have never been brought to justice. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told the congregation Zimbabweans are angry and yearn for justice.

“We are angry because the perpetrators of these heinous acts are walking scot-free and the police have not even bothered to make a single arrest,” he said. He said the apparent immunity enjoyed by Joseph Mwale, the alleged murderer of Tichaona Chiminya and Talent Mabika in April 2000 is an example of the protection enjoyed by state agents. Despite the magnitude of his alleged crime and overwhelming evidence, Mwale, remains in the employ of the State.

Tsvangirai called it a true testimony of the failure of the justice system in Zimbabwe. “We are angry because our parents, our brothers, our husbands and our wives were killed in State-sponsored violence, which is a cruel irony because it is the duty of the State to protect citizens and not harm them. We are angry because the Commissioner-General, Augustine Chihuri has chosen to engage in selective application of the law and to personalise what should otherwise be a State-institution,” he said.

Pastor Magaya delivered a powerful and captivating sermon. Those who killed these activists will not find peace and they will be judged. The church says that justice will prevail in this nation,” he said. MDC-T Youth Assembly President Thamusanqa Mahlangu’s consolation message was simple but poignant. “I want to promise that we will not let their deaths be in vain. A new Zimbabwe is coming whether Mugabe wants it or not,” he said.

Tsvangirai described the fallen MDC heroes as selfless individuals who sacrificed their lives for a better Zimbabwe.

“We must remember the many innocent Zimbabweans across the country who have been killed in senseless political violence over the years. We treasure and celebrate their lives and the only worthy gesture we can make is to create a peaceful and a violence-free Zimbabwe which they cherished and for which they paid the ultimate price.”