Pressure is mounting on several government ministers and security agents as citizens continue to sue them for various human rights violations. This welcome move, if it ever reaches its logical conclusion, will help to unearth the many hidden, heinous crimes committed by state agents in 2008.Four members of the Bulawayo-based Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) are the latest in a long list of individuals suing ministers of Home Affairs, the police and secret service for unlawful arrest, detention and torture.
This brave group of men and women have fought steadfastly for human, social and economic rights through a network of grassroots members. Their always peaceful efforts have consistently met with vicious police brutality.
We commend the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for their efforts in assisting activists, organisations and ordinary citizens to institute cases those responsible for ordering these numerous human rights abuses that have thus far trampled not only on the rights but literally on the bodies of Zimbabweans with impunity.
The recent flood of public litigation cases has been hailed as a significant legal and political moment in Zimbabwe’s 30 years of independence.
The results will demonstrate once and for all whether anything has really changed in Zimbabwe since the advent of the unity government. Will the court judgements be honoured by the senior government officials – who have in the past flouted them with impunity?
Zimbabweans are waiting with bated breath, and praying that at last perhaps justice will be done. And be seen to be done.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga