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Statement from ROHR Zimbabwe members on the Commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace – 21st September 2009

Tuesday, 22 September 2009 21:56 administrator

We the concerned members of Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe, who suffered serious human rights violations during last year’s election period, worried by the reluctance by the organ on Integration and Reconciliation on making concrete moves towards the establishment of a holistic National Healing process, we hereby raise fundamental issues to achieving lasting peace.

Reminding the organ on Reconciliation and Integration that we suffered gross human rights violations of immense proportional levels varying from the loss of beloved ones to abductions and murder, loss of valuable property to theft, our family members were exposed to inhuman treatment like torture and rape, homes were destroyed and families were torn apart as we were fleeing violence. All these crimes were committed as organized violence for political expediency by supporters of ZANU Pf, youth militia and state agents.

Understanding that under the Global Political Agreement the three political parties to the coalition government, ZANU Pf and the two MDC formations resolved under article 7 ‘to achieve national healing, cohesion and unity in respect of the victims of pre and post independence political conflicts’ and also under article 15 ‘to expedite the determination as to whether or not there is sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution or keeping on remand of all persons accused of politically related offences arising out of or connected with the March and June 2008 elections’ under the principles of the rule of law and the highest law of the land, the Zimbabwean Constitution.

Being aware that ‘peace is one of humanity’s most precious needs’ guaranteed under the Zimbabwean, regional and International law and that for the achievement of thus there should be good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and democratization.

Cognizant of the fact that the coalition government has been in existence for close to a year now, we hold that the organ on Integration and Reconciliation, has been reluctant in making steps towards addressing the historic imbalances created by the orgy of organized political violence as duly agreed by the three political parties when they appended their signatures to the Global Political Agreement of September 2008.

We note, with grave concern that the people who were responsible for fanning and carrying out acts of violence during the March and June elections 2008 are not only walking free but are still leaving as symbols of remembrance for the need for justice and their continued stay in the communities is a painful reminder and constant intimidation to us who bore the brunt and scars of their tyranny. We further hold that without the prosecution of the perpetrators of human rights violations, the communities will continue to live in fear of the reoccurrence of the pain they endured during the 2008 harmonized elections. I

n observing the International Day of Peace, following the United Nations resolution in 2002 to set aside 21 September as the permanent day ‘to concentrate the efforts of the UN and its member states, as well as the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of Peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to Peace in all visible ways’ we hereby state our demands directed to the organ on Integration and Reconciliation and to the August House:
·         We demand the establishment of the truth and for the truth to be told on the political violence which swept the country in the March and June 2008 elections as the first step towards attainment of true sustainable peace and National Healing.
·         We demand that the National Healing exercise be victim centered encompassing three broad steps, the establishment of the Truth, Justice and Compensation for the victims.
·         We demand that all the people who actively or indirectly participated in the acts of political violence and human violations be brought to book and face trial for the crimes committed under the constitutional of Zimbabwe and International Law.
·         We demand compensation from the government on the loss of property and personal belongings during the March and June 2008 election political violence.
·         Government officials who are implicated directly or indirectly in the last year’s election violence should step down from holding public office. No one is immune from the law under the Zimbabwean constitution. The organ on National Healing should lunch an investigation on the allegations of government officials who are implicated in directly or indirectly promoting acts of violence and violation of human rights.

We demand transparency and accountability on the part of the organ of Integration and Reconciliation on carrying out its mandate as stipulated in the Global Political Agreement

Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 September 2009 22:00

Report on South East London General Meeting

Tuesday, 22 September 2009 21:39 Courage Chiromo

On 22^nd August, South East London branch held its general meeting at 375 Old Kent Road. We had our customary opening prayer after which the floor was passed on to the branch chairperson Priscilla Chitsinde to recap the matters covered at the last branch meeting. This was for the benefit of those who were unable to attend. It was a recap on the human rights workshop that was held to supplement our members’ knowledge of the human rights framework to ensure that they are better equipped to represent the organisation and its objectives to the public. She also touched on the importance and need for committed activism from our members.

Through our chairperson, our branch was allocated a table to sell our wares at a church open day event. Further details concerning the event are available from Priscilla Chitsinde. Her contact details are available in Contacts section of the website. If any one has suggestions or would like to donate goods, which we can sell at this fundraising event please get in touch with any of the branch committee members listed on the contacts sections of this site under South East London Branch. We also had a discussion concerning the branch finances. This discussion reiterated the importance of establishing a self-sustaining fundraising campaign, which will finance operations towards the organisation’s objectives. There are various projects currently under discussion and the final details about the shortlisted ones will be made available soon.

Members also expressed a desire to establish and incorporate mechanisms within the branch structure which assist people in times of need. Taking into account the social and economic challenges faced by most of our members, it was agreed to set up a network of services and information for reference when misfortune befalls anyone. If anyone has services to offer fellow members, please get in touch at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it On the other hand , if members need help and feel that the branch may be able to do so, get in touch at the same address and we will try to link with people who maybe able to assist. As the branch matures, we hope to explore the possibility of setting up fully transparent financial structures to strengthen this aid arm.

We also had a member design branch T-shirts. Several designs have been put forward and members will vote for the final design after which the T-shirts go into production. If anyone is interested in viewing and voting for a particular design get in touch at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We resolved to continue our aggressive pursuit for publicity around the organisation’s cause and have revised our strategy to match our existing circumstances. We will be launching a branch e-newsletter soon. For those who would like to contribute articles get in touch at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

After the closing prayer, our meeting closed at 1700 hrs. We would like to thank all those who managed to attend and to all those that made it possible.

Courage Chiromo
Information and Publicity

Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 September 2009 21:41

SADC disregards calls to address Zimbabwe's problems

Thursday, 10 September 2009 22:53 administrator

The Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) predictable stance on Zimbabwe on the just ended Summit held in the Democratic Republic of Congo leaves a lot to be desired. Despite the calls from the MDC and civic groups to have Zimbabwe tabled at the summit, the guarantor to the troubled coalition government dismissed the Zimbabwean crisis as less pressing.

The decision not to put Zimbabwe on the agenda of the Kinshasa summit leaves Mugabe and ZANU PF as the victors at the expense of the people of Zimbabwe. Mugabe and his party will continue to enjoy the status of a problem child in the absence of a checks and balance system in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement between the three political parties.

Six months after the formation of the coalition government, its full implementation has been stalled by Mugabe’s refusal to agree on the appointment of the Reserve bank Governor and the Attorney General, swearing in of Roy Bennett as the deputy minister of Agriculture. Although these are the pressing issues from the Movement of Democratic change’s point of view, as succinctly noted by Irene Petras director of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) ,'democratization remains a challenge.’ Since the formation of the coalition government no repressive laws have been repealed.

Draconian media laws POSA and AIPPA are still intact. The public is starved of object information and left to vitriol messages and ZANU Pf propaganda from the state media. The apparatus of violence which manifested during the period preceding the June election period still remains intact; there is no genuine effort towards reforming state institutions.

The plight of prisoners in state prisons is cause of concern. Zimbabwe Prisons Service is currently operating below the minimal standards set by the United Nations amidst fears that prisoners are dying of starvation, diseases and torture.

It still remains to be seen if Mugabe and ZANU Pf have genuine concerns for the people of Zimbabwe that surpass their narrow partisan interest in this marriage of convenience at a time when Zimbabwe is in need of a visionary leadership. The disruption of the All Stakeholders Constitutional Convention at the Harare International Conference Centre by ZANU Pf party thugs is a testimony of party politics at the expense of the nation as a whole.

Foreign aid and investment will remain a far cry as long as the government fails to guarantee the rule of law, respect human rights, exercise good governance and honor property rights under bi-contractual agreements with other member states from the region. The refusal by the justice minister Patrick Chinamasa to honor the ruling by the SADC Tribunal in favor of 78 white farmers facing eviction under the chaotic farm evasions is a bad precedence on the part of the Zimbabwean government. Not only does it further dent the country’s battered image on the failure to uphold the rule of law, but it also undermines the integrity of SADC as a body in its endeavor to finding solutions to African problems.

What ZANU Pf does not understand about the targeted sanctions is that, it is they not the MDC, who need to rebuild a credible brand, convince the world that they have now repented from their oppressive rule and are now sincere about democratic reforms. Readiness to accept the people’s right to choose leaders of their choice is also a critical pre-requisite in installing aid confidence.

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 September 2009 22:56

Five Bindura men face eviction from Foothills farm

Sunday, 30 August 2009 18:45 administrator

Five residents of Foothills farm were on Thursday attacked, and their homes destroyed, by a gang of six ZANU Pf youths hired by former mayor of Bindura, Webster Bepura, for resisting eviction. Webster Bepura is evicting the five from a farm that he took over from David Baliey during the farm invasions in 2003.

Around 0700hrs in the morning, Jacob Chiripanyanga a self confessed war veteran, accompanied by Webster Bepura , Masanzu, Nhauriro and other three unidentified man stormed the homes of Obert Mujeri and his colleagues, beat them up using sticks and clenched fist before confiscating a bicycle belonging to Lanos Zakeo.

Obert Mujeri, Fanuel Musona, Lanos Zakeo, Lazaurus Mafunga and Gift Mhembere, have lived at Foot-hills farm all their lives until hell broke loose when they were given a notice to vacate the farm before the 29th of August. They believe they are being targeted because of their support to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) .

In a shocking move, constable Nyekete from Bindura Rural Police Station, refused to open a docket for the case but instead opted to give the assaulted a letter to deliver to their assailants. The letter summoning Jacob Chiripanyanga and company to Bindura Rural Police Station read: “Bindura Rural Police Station: You are hereby summoned to Bindura Police station without fail tomorrow Friday 28 August to explain why u have assaulted Lanos Zakeo and others please bring the bicycle you have taken back. Constable Nyekete.”

The rights of farm workers continue to be violated with impunity, as law enforcement agents ignore their plight. It is regrettable, that despite the existence of the six months old coalition government, the rule of law remains elusive and the police continue to act unprofessionally especially in cases that are politically motivated involving culprits from the ZANU Pf party. If ever the law is applied, it is done so selectively.

In a separate incident, residents of Bindura are living in constant fear following threats of violence made by Mathias Machiridza, a ZANU Pf losing councilor for Bindura ward 3, at a meeting held at Kingstone Farm last week. The people who attended the meeting were threatened with severe violence in the event that they contributed contrary to the controversial Kariba draft constitution during the envisaged Constitution outreach consultation process.

The Constitutional making process has so far been marred with deep mistrust and misinformation amidst reports of fresh rounds of intimidation campaigns looming ahead of the setting up of thematic committees. Last month ZANU Pf thugs disrupted the all stakeholders constitutional conference at the Harare International Conference centre in an effort to derail the proceedings and prevent Zimbabweans from writing their own constitution.

From the information Department of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR)

Last Updated on Sunday, 30 August 2009 18:49

The plunder of the Aids Levy – 24/08/2009

Monday, 24 August 2009 21:05 administrator

Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe (ROHR) is perturbed by the massive plunder of the Aids Levy Fund by the National Aids Council (NAC) when thousands of HIV/Aids patients are dying and 400 000 more are in dire need of anti-retroviral drugs. The Herald reported last week that NAC collected over US$ 1.7 million from levies since February this year and only US$20,000 was used to purchase anti-retroviral drugs. The Government policy states that 50% of the Aids Levy should be spent on drugs.

In 1999 the government introduced an AIDS levy on all taxpayers to fund the work of the NAC. The 3 per-cent AIDS levy that is deducted from the workers’ hard earned salaries should automatically make them the important stakeholders of the fund, with full rights to inquire about the way it is managed to hold NAC accountable.

The NAC has also been constrained by poor management and lack of resources since its formation in 1999 and at a time when the country is grappling with calamities caused by HIV/AIDS, it is appalling that state institutions are finding solace in squandering critical funds on luxury vehicles and channeling funds to electoral and quasi-fiscal activities funded by the central bank. Zimbabwe is in need of a visionary leadership which equitably distributes resources across the entire socio-economic and political realm of this country rather than aggrandizements of narrow personal interests.

The government has a prerogative role of ensuring people living with HIV/AIDS are given adequate medication and ensuring that the country works towards the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which calls upon all countries to ensure that they strive towards reducing HIV/AIDS infections and access to medication for those living with the same by half.

ROHR Zimbabwe strongly believes that development depends on good governance and respect for people’s rights. As the country is in need of aid from the international community to combat the AIDS pandemic, it is incumbent upon the leaders to exercise high level transparency and accountability to foster donor confidence in the handling of public funds. Mismanagement of tax payers’ money on the part of National Aids Council sends wrong signals to potential funders on the state institutions’ capacity to exercise corporate governance. We call for an audit and an investigation in the operations of NAC and if there is abuse of public funds, the law should make the culprits in the scandal accountable.

Also of concern is our observation that all relevant stakeholders are disenfranchised by the absence of a meaningful interface with the NAC or any other legal body that responds to their enquiries be it on a single or collective basis. When it comes to demanding that workers, who are the bosses of the levy, have a say in the way the money is managed, we inevitably begin talking about their rights being throttled in so far as they are ignored. Therefore there is an urgent need for the establishment of such an interface to facilitate the restoration of this right in the form of a truly independent Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) through which all stakeholder voices are channeled.

It is our considered view as ROHR Zimbabwe that ZACC, and all other commissions to be established should be independent, free from political influence, composed of qualified and competent personnel and well resourced to be able to effectively create checks and balances, promote and protect people’ rights and freedoms.

From the information Department of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

Last Updated on Monday, 24 August 2009 21:11

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