In May this year, the exiles celebrated as the North Gauteng High Court passed a landmark ruling ordering South African authorities to investigate officials accused of involvement in torture and crimes against humanity. The government has given notice to appeal the decision.
“We had thought that with the ruling, we would finally find the justice that we failed to find back home and for so many years, but it looks like we were wrong,” said Sibangani Nkomo.
“The most painful thing is that we do not know how long this appeal will take because such court processes usually take a long time to be finalised and some of the victims might even die before they get justice, while evidence can also get lost during the long wait.”
“Those who have suffered or have witnessed crimes against humanity should report the presence of any of the perpetrators to the nearest police station as SA’s obligations remain in terms of international law – to investigate arrest and prosecute perpetrators,” said Gabriel Shumba, director of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum.
The National Prosecuting Authority had not responded to questions at the time of going to press.
Post published in: Africa News