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We demand an end to political violence!

Thursday, 27 May 2010 19:47 administrator

From the ROHR Zimbabwe Information Department

ROHR Zimbabwe is grappling to come to terms with the attempts by the ministry of home affairs to deny the people their legitimate right to hold the government to account and demand transparency through peaceful protests. It is a classic dramatic irony of the most extravagant nature; only one year governing alongside ZANU Pf, an MDC minister of all people elected by the people of Zimbabwe, would be at the part of a controversial alleged move to withdraw a legitimate fundamental right of the people in the backdrop of over a decade protracted struggle for democracy and human rights that has claimed lives of innocent men, women and children.

If there is anything that the MDC can do to stop this madness, it is to be truthful about the situation on the ground and put pressure on their defiant partner in government ZANU Pf to restrain from engaging in violent tendencies. Violence is a destructive force to our national brand; it stands averse to the current peace building efforts, the constitution making process, democratic transitional reforms and the economic recovery efforts to lure investment in the country to resuscitate the economy.

As an organization we view the untenable decision to ban protest ahead of the world cup as a criminal fraudulent attempt by the coalition government to create a misleading image of an all-is-well in the house approach while there is a backdrop of growing persecution of victims of political violence, political activists, human rights defenders and journalists. It is regrettable that we have new incidences of violence and destruction of property in the grassroots communities around the country particularly in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Manicaland.

ROHR Zimbabwe’s growing impatience with the outbreaks of violence targeted at vulnerable victims of political violence across the country has reached intolerable levels. In the wake of rampant allegations of a partisan police, that is reluctance to guarantee security, safety and the observance of the rule of law. It is only through protest that the voices of victims of violence can be amplified and heard as an attempt to advocate for redress.

The attempt to ban peaceful protest, if left unchallenged, sets in motion a bad precedence that people’s democratic fundamental rights can be withdrawn at the whim of politicians and government officials.

ROHR Zimbabwe therefore intends to hold a peaceful march to call upon the coalition government to make concrete steps to ensure that violence is ceased forthwith. The coalition government should address the plight of victims of political violence in the country. We are concerned that the infrastructure that caused untold suffering among innocent people in the 2008 elections is still intact and so far its existence has inspired the continued harassment of victims of political violence. We have received reports of not less than 50 families so far, forced to flee their homes due to systematic intimidation campaigns by youth militia and ZANU Pf supporters.

We reiterate our position that human rights are not gifts bestowed on the people at the pleasure of governments but they are universal and should apply to all. We seek to engage in a peaceful march to highlight the following demands to the coalition government:

The security of victims of political violence should be guaranteed regardless of political affiliation especially during the constitutional outreach scheduled to kick start very soon.
Perpetrators of violence should be stopped from committing further crimes to the ones still lurking unaccounted for from the past eras stretching decades back to post independence. If left free they will continue to haunt communities and cause chaos because they are the chief drivers of impunity who deal a blow to the rule of law.
The police should step up efforts to arrest all those who commit crimes in the name of political patronage. No one is immune from or above the law.
The coalition government needs to make serious investigations on the allegations of threats of widespread organized violence by ZANU Pf after the world cup in South Africa.
The coalition government should promote a culture of truth telling to set a foundation for a credible national healing process that is built on transitional justice.
The organ on National Healing should be dissolved if it’s not producing tangible results. Its continued presence is a burden on the taxpayer.

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 May 2010 19:54

African Freedom Day 25 May 2010

Tuesday, 25 May 2010 23:08 administrator

ROHR Zimbabwe joins the people of Africa from the entire member states of the African Union to commemorate this year’s African Day of Freedom which is being commemorated under the theme ‘The year of peace and security’. The year of peace was proclaimed by the 14th ordinary session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the Tripoli Declaration on the Elimination of Conflicts in Africa and the Promotion of sustainable Peace. African Freedom Day came to be as a result of the 1st Pan African conference of 1958 to symbolize the unity and determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation. We acknowledge that the hosting of the 2010 World Cup Football show which kicks off in a few days is a historic milestone for the entire African continent.

This year’s commemorations come at a time when the continent of Africa is in need of visionary leadership with a new dimension that is premised on development that is based on the foundation of the unity of the people of Africa, the respect of the inalienability of human rights and the dignity of the human family as enshrined in the Universal declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

Cognizant of the fact that the body politic in Africa has shifted from the era of colonization by foreign nations, African states have attained sovereignty and self rule, there is need of the African Union to shift attention towards the need of ensuring that people of Africa exercise their fundamental right to chose leaders of their choice without fear of coercion or persecution. The sprouting of negotiated coalition governments as in the case of Zimbabwe and Kenya is against the people’s wishes and runs contrary to democratic principles.

The persistent raging armed and unarmed conflicts in Madagascar, Somalia, Sudan, Darfur, Guinea and Zimbabwe are attesting to a failed leadership. It is concerning that when leaders fail it is innocent people who bear the brunt of selfish pursuit of power driven struggles. Millions of African people find themselves outside of their boarders of birth due to the scourge of political conflict, security concerns, and abuse of human rights, economic hardships and poverty.

Worse still, against the spirit of our connectedness derived from our common struggles, challenges and achievements reports have sprouted of cases of gross ill-treatment of refugees in other countries, as in unfortunate case of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa in the recent years.

As ROHR Zimbabwe we note with concern that, a lot needs to be done in putting focus in efforts to promote sustainable peace and security in the grassroots communities particularly in countries emerging from legacies of violence and hotly contested elections like Zimbabwe. The continued relentless victimization of victims of political violence of the year 2008 and subsequent failure of their official recognition particularly by the government of Zimbabwe undermines the declaration of the year 2010 being a year of peace and security.

We challenge the coalition government to use the treatment of past victims of political violence as the barometer of measuring peace efforts before more talk is generated on the country’s preparedness of holding the next credible election that can produce legitimate results that reflect the people’s choices. As long as victims of political violence continue to be persecuted it means any attempt to hold elections will only produce more victims.

The country can only redeem its image on the continent by refraining from political violence, putting to an end the cancerous culture of impunity, respecting human rights, embracing free political activities, freeing the media and stopping corruption. ROHR Zimbabwe’s Acting Director, Ronald Mureverwi has slammed the recent arbitrary arrest of political party members of the newly formed MDC99 as a serious violation of the GPA and it reflects badly on the countries’ preparedness to transform itself from the dominance of a one party state into a multi party democracy. The suffocation of the political environment amplifies the need for a new democratic constitution that guarantees people’s freedoms.

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 May 2010 23:13

Zanu Pf’s treatment of victims of political violence a test of their sincerity towards the transition phase

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 21:57 administrator

From ROHR Zimbabwe Infromation Department

Because of outbreaks of violence and intimidation campaigns linked to the envisaged constitutional making process in some parts of the country particularly in Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces, a delegation of ROHR Zimbabwe and VAC team paid a solidarity visit to Shamva to assess the human rights situation after some families were displaced last month following threats of violence by ZANU PF supporters.

The gruesome predictable findings are that the victims of the reign of terror in 2008 bloody elections are not only denied justice but have become even more vulnerable and susceptible to further victimisation. Members of Honzeri family in ward 13 of Zhanda village in Shamva represent the anecdote of solitude and fear deeply stricken in the divided community between the victims and the perpetrators of political violence.

Their case is a smoke screen of many innocent man, women and children who are being persecuted for being supporters of the Prime Minister’s party MDC, against the principled position agreed by the three political parties in the Global Political Agreement that there should be free political activity throughout Zimbabwe within the ambit of the law in which all political parties are able to propagate their views and canvas for support, free of harassment and intimidation.

The voices of victimised families have been rendered utterly desolate as any attempt to work towards the upkeep of their livelihoods is either met with contempt or repressive action amounting to destruction of property and livestock. ‘Should I uproot my houses? Where should I take them where I can leave in peace because I am being chased away from our God given country of our forefathers?’ cried Mrs Honzeri. ‘We cannot rebuild our houses because we are in a war situation. War brings suffering and destruction to some people and yet to others they will be enjoying the status quo. For us it is endless.’

The latest of the series of systematic harassment and intimidation is the prevention of the Honzeri family from praying in the nearby bushes – they risk being confronted with threats of violence from Ishmael Jena, a self-confessed notorious liberation war veteran who also leads a Masowe sect. Mai Honzeri said praying is their only solace in which they get a platform of asking God to heal their broken hearts and fight the enemy on their behalf. She also informed ROHR Zimbabwe that she was told to seek permission to pray in the mountains from Harare by her oppressors.

The backdrop of the continued relentless persecution of victims of political violence is that nothing has come out of the organ of National Healing to address their plight. The culture of impunity rages on, following MDC minister Sekai Holland admitting that the GPA did not state clearly the mandate of the organ of national healing.

Paradoxically the victims have been on the wrong side of proceedings stirring only more hostility from the police who have been accused of being partisan and protecting perpetrators from being tried. ROHR Zimbabwe has received reports of controversial cases in which victims of political violence have been severely punished for complaining to the people who vandalised and stole property during the reign of terror in 2008.

It is clear that defiant intransigent supporters of ZANU Pf are not ready to welcome the transition agenda and will do anything to throw a spanner in the works. No acknowledgement has been made to those who suffered immensely from the past man-made injustices. The coalition government has not only failed to protect the voice of the victims in freely expressing their plight through truth telling but it has mobilised the police to suppress and stifle public freedom of expression as witnessed by the arrest of Zimrights staff and confiscation of photos of victims of political violence during public photo exhibitions held across the country by Zimrights.

The antagonistic pressure that has been put on the people by ZANU Pf supporters to coerce the nation into adopting the Kariba draft constitution and silence free engagement leaves a lot to be desired provoking speculation among critics on the way forward. Central to how the nation can progress forward is the holding of a free and fair election under a democratic new constitution in the presence of international observers.

Wadzanai Mupandawana a human rights activist in the Diaspora strongly blames the coalition government for condoning corruption by government officials, the looting of diamonds at Chiadzwa and selective application of the law. She said the country is not free if journalists, human and political activist are still being harassed for carrying out their duties. She further castigated the unprofessionalism and non reformist stance of the police on law enforcement in matters involving politicians loyal to Mugabe.

In the event of elections being held, ROHR Zimbabwe's founder Ephraim Tapa has expressed fears that with or without a new constitution the likelihood of violence is very high since the infrastructure of violence is still intact across the country.

For pictures of a house that was demolished in Shamva during the reign of terror, check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/sets/72157623924696227/

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

News Alert 12 May: Chief Kasekete orders day light robbery in a politically motivated act of malice.

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 20:19 administrator

From ROHR Zimbabwe Information Department

On 4^th May Chief Kasekete of Muzarabani ordered a group of ten marauders to forcibly take three beasts, two goats and two chickens from the Machimbidzofa family of Kagoda village. The livestock were taken as payment for allegedly insulting ZANU PF supporter and war veteran Andrew Chiwere.

Andrew Chiwere is believed to have connived with Chief Kasekete to have two brothers Alfred and Benjamin Machimbidzofa arrested by the police on allegations that the two insulted him and threw stones at his house. The two brothers deny the charges and accuse the controversial chief, of abusing his office to sway the course of justice in order to vindictively punish them because they are supporters of the MDC party.

After the chief lobbied for the arrest of the Machimbidzofa brothers, he deployed a team of his supposed police to inflict further pain by sanctioning day light robbery of livestock belonging to the mother of the two brothers. By the time of reporting the case to ROHR Zimbabwe, Chief Kasekete had already sold one of the beasts as payment to his agents in confiscating the livestock and the other two beasts were handed to Chiwere to sell. The selling of the beast was fast tracked defying even the legal procedures and laid down protocols which govern the theft of livestock in rural areas.

Among the group of the people who were identified who came to steal the livestock were Andrew Chiwere himself, Herdman Kagoda, Robert Chaerera, Kurauone Chiwere and one Madzibaba Brian.

Reporting their case to ROHR Zimbabwe, the brothers broke into tears narrating their ordeal in the hands of callous chief. They said after the beasts were taken the chief ordered their arrest and they were locked up for a further two days without food and water at a nearby police camp.

Alfred and Benjamin were both victims of political violence during the reign of terror of 2008. Their houses were burnt and at one time they were severely beaten by youth militia at the behest of Andrew Chiwere. They accuse Chiwere of spearheading the terror in Kagoda village, mobilizing youth militia and directing uniformed forces to brutalize people during the election period in 2008.

Speaking to ROHR Zimbabwe, Agreement Kagura the Muzarabani North district secretary said the problem is that the chief is a ZANU PF supporter and he is fighting his battle to destroy the MDC party in Muzarabani. He further went on to reveal that this chief, a self confessed ardent supporter of ZANU PF, is abusing public forums in which he calls for meetings to carry out ZANU PF party business to the dismay of other villagers who support other parties of their choice.

In another separate incident chief Kasekete held a meeting in March in which he gathered all the herdsmen in Muzarabani and instructed the church leaders of all church groups to bar supporters of MDC from attending church or face the wrath of violence.

As ROHR Zimbabwe we are greatly perturbed by the magnitude of the corrupt leadership exhibited by chief Kasekete. His position warrants him to be an independent officer who should facilitate the provision of justice among his people but regrettably he has become a law unto himself and abuses his office to rob the poor, enrich himself through elicit means, suppress victims and distort the course of justice. AS ROHR Zimbabwe we reiterate that chief Kasekete’s activities are not only illegal but they are tantamount to undermining the agreements of the GPA under section 13 which state that the three political parties agreed to ensure the neutrality of traditional leaders so that they do not engage in partisan political activities at the national level as well as in their communities.

ROHR Zimbabwe is committed to campaigning for retributive and restorative justice to take place in the criminal offence committed by chief Kasekete as matter of principle because if such acts of impunity are allowed to flourish they will set a dangerous precedent within the community as a reference point for further gross abuse of rights of innocent people.

During this time of hardship in which most families are struggling with livelihood support after they lost their property and livestock to terror of 2008, it is unthinkable that a leader continues to take from the poor. It is a mockery of leadership and it reflects badly on the political party he represents. It also mocks the liberators who fought for liberation during the Ian Smith regime.

It is regrettable that the National Healing process is being blocked by intransigent forces in ZANU PF whose supporters are still bent on reversing the efforts being made during the transition period which should lead to democratic elections to enable people to elect a legitimate government of their choice without fear of repression.

For SW Radio Africa’s interview with Ronald Mureverwi of ROHR Zimbabwe listen to the Newsreel broadcast on Wednesday, 12^th May. Check: http://www.swradioafrica.com/news130510/zpfterror120510.htm for the accompanying story,

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 May 2010 20:25

Workers’ Day Commemoration: Let us all stand up and defend the right to protest!- 1st May 2010

Sunday, 02 May 2010 15:25 administrator

ROHR Zimbabwe joins the rest of the nation in solidarity with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trades Union (ZCTU), its affiliates and the entire workforce in commemorating this year’s International Workers Day, falling a few weeks after the celebrations of the second independence anniversary under the tutelage of the three political parties in the coalition government.

Following the victory of the eight hour demonstrations in Haymarket Chicago in 1886 when several workers were massacred protesting against ruthless social and economic conditions affecting workers, as an organization we join the labor movement in amplifying the voices of workers against the evils of capitalism, poverty, inequality, denial of the right to protest freely on the violation of workers’ rights.

We unreservedly acknowledge that the work force is the anchor of industry and chief driver of economic growth in every growing economy despite the unbefitting situation of downplaying their rights and legitimate demands.

This year’s Workers day comes at a time when the generality of the various sections of workers from tertiary, health, farming, education have been turned by design into perennial victims of an inconsiderate ruthless system that has refused to yield to the multi faceted concerns affecting their plight around the country. Not only is it too apparent but also regrettable that despite the coming in of a new political dispensation the bulk of the workers are still earning below the poverty datum line of US $400.

The appalling situation has restricted teachers to a paltry salary between US 150 -240 since the coalition government came to power and the government has remained stone cold to the widespread strikes seeking redress. Working conditions for health workers have remained unfriendly due to lack of refurbishment of infrastructure and equipment in state hospitals.

Farm workers have been grossly subjected to wide scale human rights violations at the height of violent farm evasions by the youth militia, war veterans and defiant political party supporters who are loyalists to the self appeasing system of patronage.

Against the spirit of the International labor movement, repression against labour representatives and civil society members by the state and its agents has intensified in the last decade as an unorthodox means to silence workers from protesting on their grievances. This is evinced by the recent arbitrary arrest of labor union workers, the President Lovemore Matombo, shooting of unarmed worker protesters in Shurugwi, the intimidation and harassment of the GAPUZ director Gertrude Hambira and her staff.

As succinctly put by the courageous secretary general of the workers Union Wellington Chibhebhe, ‘’ as much as others may say the situation is improving there is not much to show for the workers.” This in the backdrop of the introduction of the foreign currency economy which has seen inflation dropping from a record high quadrillion to 0.6 % following a decade of massive economic plunder, decay, mismanagement and corruption.

As we commemorate the day of the worker, ROHR Zimbabwe encourages the majority of Zimbabweans to actively contribute towards shaping a people reflective democratic constitution that respects, protects the rights, and interest of workers as an integral part to nation building and utilize the opportunity to redefine the current retrogressive legislature curtailing the freedoms of the work force.

We also challenge the coalition government to heed the voices of workers and realize that true development can only be premised on development that is workers centered and not a situation where the workers are manipulated and under developed in the midst of moving forward. Workers are the prime producers of wealth and products in every society and therefore they are entitled accordingly to leave in dignity with the highest standards of living.

We do not condone a situation whereby the hard sweat of the workers is sacrificed to solidify a dictatorial regime that feeds on snuffing the very lives of the hardworking Zimbabweans who carry the country on their shoulders.

Under the banner of international labor movements we subscribe to the following demands besieging the plight of workers in today’s world particularly in Zimbabwe:

The unconditional right of workers to act independently of the government and their employees in striking, protesting, assembling, marching and speaking freely should be guaranteed in the constitution as a protection of the people’s social rights in line with international law and other statutes under labor movements.
The poverty datum line should be responsive to the demands of the basic needs for an average family to live in the dignity of human beings as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of human rights. The poverty datum line should not be imposed by the government but rather it should be a byproduct of the negotiations with intended beneficiaries.
We condemn any aggression towards protest against violation of workers’ rights as an infringement on freedom of expression.
Understanding that women constitute 52% of the population, we demand the eradication of all forms of discrimination targeted at women. There should be equality and unconditional access and for women in positions of leadership, governance and in all areas of social, economic, political, cultural and family life.
We demand that all pensioners should enjoy a dignified life without economic concern and to eliminate any discrimination in the payment of retirement pensions.
Workers should freely engage in political activities and support political parties of their choice without fear of reproach or persecution.
Child labour must be eradicated and all children must be entitled to educational facilities, health and welfare, independent of gender and race, religion, or social and economic status of their parents.
We strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest, trial and imprisonment of labour union activist.
We tender our support to the fight for legitimate demands of teachers, nurses and other working classes of the society in their endeavours to seek redress from the government and their employers.
Concerted efforts should be made particularly by the coalition government in creating a conducive environment to lure foreign investors to invest in the country to stimulate growth of the manufacturing industry, create jobs and overturn the record high percentage of unemployment which is feared to be hovering above 80%.

For Peace, Justice and Freedom

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