The young Kainos Betera was abducted by Zanu (PF) thugs in June 2008 and is presumed dead. Following offers by an NGO, Heal Zimbabwe, to provide a tomb stone for the youth, the family were unsure whether to accept that Kainos is dead or continue to hold out hope for his reappearance.
Heal Zimbabwe is assisting victims of political violence in similar circumstances to the Betera family with tombstones and food for mourners at memorial services.
“The offer by the NGO brought forth bitter memories of our family’s tragic loss of a gallant son who believed in democracy and justice. This also pained me since I was forced to think that my son could be dead by now. There is just no way we could declare him dead and proceed to conduct a memorial service for him, let alone lay a tombstone for him,” said Fainnah.
According to eye witnesses, Kainos was abducted from the Betera family home in Nyameni Suburb by identified Zanu (PF) thugs. His shoes were later handed back to the family by a Zanu (PF) youth identified as Eddie, but Kainos was never seen again.
“The NGO’s initiative was noble, but for my family it was unfortunate as there was no way we could handle the offer. Should we accept and keep the tombstone in the house until Kainos’s fate is established? No. The NGO has kindly asked us to suggest other ways they can help us,” said the mother.
Fainnah has called upon the captors of her son to come forward and give the family details of their son’s fate.
“At least if someone could advise me about what befell my son, I would have peace of mind. This would also help me chart the way forward according to our family tradition.”
Post published in: Politics