Justice before healing – Tsvangirai

Millions of Zimbabweans have experienced deep trauma from the politically-motivated murder of loved ones, beatings, torture, rape, destruction of property, and displacement at the hands of Zanu (PF) and state agents for several decades.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has openly backed the formation TRC to examine atrocities in the country, dating back to the massacres of ethnic minorities in the 1980s

“This country has gone through a lot of traumatic experiences,” Tsvangirai said at the launch of a video on the 1980s atrocities recently. “What we have to accept is that in order to heal there must be justice, and in order to have justice there must be truth.”

Hardliners staunchly opposed
Zanu (PF) hardliners in the new government are said to be staunchly opposed to this, and would prefer a blanket amnesty for all atrocities.

Proponents of a TRC said it must take testimony from victims of and participants in Zimbabwe’s government-sanctioned violence dating back to the 1980s. However, rights activists said the immediate emphasis should be on last year’s devastating election-related violence.

Human rights groups and churches said the TRC must be chaired by a respected bishop and should hold hearings in the capital and in the provinces. Other rights groups are calling for a crime court or tribunal to deal with national healing.

The national healing programme will be led by the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, comprised of ministers John Nkomo, Sekai Holland and Gibson Sibanda. Observers said it was an ambitious attempt to end the vicious cycle that characterised politics across much of Africa.

Trauma of war lingers on
A student leader with ZINASU said: “The guns may be silent, but the trauma of the war lingers on.” A female victim of the June run-off vote said that her torturers took turns to rape her while her husband watched.

“When he tried to protest, they killed him. They shot him in the heart with an AK. When I cried, they wanted to shoot me also but the leader took mercy,” she said.

The woman has not only had to contend with violent physical abuse, but also with official silence and indifference.

The search for truth is likely to open very deep wounds, but victims have said that if the perpetrators are willing to ask for forgiveness they would be prepared to forgive in the interest of peace.

“They may refuse to apologise, but they will have to explain to God,” said another.