Has been missing since March 2015 … Itai Dzamara
Itai, a father of two children, was abducted by some unidentified men who were travelling in an
unmarked white Nissan Hardbody vehicle from a barber-shop near his home on 09 March 2015 for yet
to be established motives.
ZLHR also stands in support of all other Zimbabweans including Paul Chizuze and Patrick
Nabanyana, who remain missing since they were abducted and disappeared in 2000 and 2012.
ZLHR remembers with gratitude the values that Itai, Paul and Patrick stood for, the years and
commitment they invested in the pursuit of freedom, democracy, justice and peace in Zimbabwe.
Although the cry to “Bring Back Itai” remains a national and worldwide cause, it is saddening to note
that while in March 2015, High Court Judge Justice David Mangota issued an order directing
authorities to investigate, establish his whereabouts and update his family and lawyers, no meaningful
progress has been made to date.
ZLHR condemns the lack of progress made in investigating the human rights violations highlighted by
the abduction and enforced disappearance of Itai, Paul and Patrick and in punishing those responsible.
Those responsible for disappearing Itai, Paul and Patrick have committed heinous crimes under
international law. Perpetrators of abductions and enforced disappearances must understand that
abduction and holding people incommunicado is an outdated, inhumane, and ultimately ineffective
practice that ruins the lives of innocent people.
ZLHR urges the government to;
(a) Take all necessary and urgent measures to ascertain the whereabouts of Itai, Paul and Patrick
among other disappeared and missing people.
(b) Fully investigate the circumstances surrounding their abduction and the full reasons of their
abduction and ensure that those responsible for their enforced disappearance are brought to account.
(c) Ratify, domesticate and fully implement provisions of the United Nations Convention on the
Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances and the United Nations Convention Against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Protocol.