I now look to God alone to take care of me,” said the widow of Temba Mandinde during the memorial service for her late husband in Chipinge last week.
Temba Mandinde was murdered in Mudzi in the 2008 election violence. Heal Zimbabwe, in collaboration with survivors of political violence, held several memorial services in the area in an attempt to bring healing to those left behind.
The brother of the deceased gave a chilling experience of what transpired when they had to spend a whole year trying to have the remains of his brother brought to Chipinge for a decent burial. This was as a result of the intimidation they received from the perpetrators in Mudzi who wanted the death to remain a secret.
In another chilling ordeal, relatives of the late Kenias Artwell Bvekerwa narrated how he was murdered for purportedly belonging to the MDC. Bvekerwa, a truck driver, was murdered while he had gone to assist his father in law who had been assaulted by Zanu (PF) supporters.
He was dragged to a base where he was beaten to death. They falsely accused him of driving around with a truckload of guns and other weapons which they said he was distributing to MDC activists.
Traditional leaders have not been spared the political violence. Chief Mawunganidze of Chipinge was beaten by suspected Zanu (PF) militias during 2008 election violence and later died of his injuries. He was accused of being an MDC sympathizer and influencing people in his area to vote for the opposition.
Heal Zimbabwe says it is public knowledge that traditional leaders who choose not be involved in politics for a certain party are deemed ‘enemies’ and exposed to political violence.
The failure by government to spearhead the national healing process worsens the challenges being faced by survivors. Reparations need to be put in place for such people so that they can resuscitate their livelihoods.
Heal Zimbabwe urges the organ on national healing to expedite the process of healing so that communities long torn by hatred and political divisions can work together for the good of society and the nation at large.
Post published in: Politics