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Villagers console each other during memorial services in Gokwe
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
July 29, 2010

"To all the youths gathered today, this is the time to accept that what you did was wrong, this is the time to repent, you cannot be made to kill your mother and father over a scud, a scud, no this should come to an end, never in this area have we seen something like this . I have known and experienced all the wars, Hitler's war, the war of liberation but never have there been such open disregard for human life, the law, our traditional practices and values never never in all this life . . . "
Chief Gumunyu speaking at Daniel Ngondo's memorial service in Munyatipanzi communal lands.

Villagers in Gokwe Gumunyu held 7 memorial services from 20 to 24 July in memory of people who were killed during the post 29 March 2008 election violence. The services' major highlight was the unveiling of tombstones in memory of the deceased. Gokwe is one of the districts hardest hit by the post 29 March 2008 political violence Villagers took time off their busy schedule of delivering their produce for market to gather together in remembering the lives of those who died. The services were presided over by local religious and traditional leaders.

Three memorial services were held in Gokwe Gumunyu on 20 and 21 July 2010 and two were held on 23 July 2010. The last memorial service was held on 24 July at Mavanga village and the Finance Minister, Hon T. Biti graced the event.

The untold circumstances surrounding "political" violence

From what was gathered during the memorial services, it seems the majority of the deaths were sparked by long standing internal, historic, family and community conflicts within the areas. One case recorded is of villagers who had a long standing dispute over who owns a local well leading to others labeling Mr Munjodzi (the deceased) an MDC supporter leading to his brutally murder in front of his family. It has emerged that the name MDC has serious connotations and labeling and for one to be labeled "Machinja" has serious consequences on one's life and the whole family. The word "Machinja is being used in the area to mystify and classify those they regard as outcast in the society.

It seems there was a deliberate target on those regarded "rich" in the area evidenced by numerous cases of looting of property and murdering the property owners. It has emerged that political labeling is used to fight grudges and unresolved disputes.

Rangarirai Gomwe (born 1922)

Mr Gomwe, one of the pioneers of establishing shops at Tsungai business centre was brutally murdered at the age of 86. One cannot be convinced that Mr Gomwe at his age could have been killed for political activism. This assumption was confirmed by the tearful wife who narrated that her husband was killed for demanding his dues from his shop. He agreed to let the late Garikai Mukundwa, youth ward chairman of ZANU Pf to rent his shop but the latter never paid rentals to Mr Gomwe. The case was taken to court and the tenant was given an eviction order. The disgruntled Garikai only complied with the order just before the March 2008 elections. It is allegedly that he used the political environment to revenge on Mr Gomwe and instructed about a dozen youths to beat up the deceased. They surrounded his homestead on 6 May and brutally attacked him and he died on the spot. Heal Zimbabwe gathered that some communities take advantage of prevailing political situations to settle personal disputes.

Manomano Ndawi

He was killed on 27 June 2008. The circumstances surrounding his death can be traced to the time he lost his plough sometime in early 2008. He later found the culprits and approached them. He threatened to apprehend them to the police and this scared them. Because the thieves were scared to face the full wrath of law, they took advantage of the political climate during the June 2008 run off and attacked Mr Ndawi. They approached him on the night of 27 June 2008 and beat him to death and after they discovered that he was dead they castrated him. He died on the spot. He is survived by his wife and one child.

Isaka Zindere

The last memorial service was held in Gokwe Gumunyu, Mavanga village and the event was graced by one of the negotiators to the Global Political Agreement, Hon, Finance Minister, Tendai Biti. The Hon Minister took advantage of the memorial service to ascertain the extent of the damage inflicted in the area during the 2008 political violence. Hon Biti took the opportunity to shun violence and took a swipe on those who fought their neighbors. He comforted the Zindere family and encouraged them to be strong and above all, to forgive and not revenge stating that it is only God who has the right to revenge. He explained to the villagers the circumstances leading to the formation of the Inclusive Government and the challenges being faced in the agreement. He went further to urge the villagers to fully participate in the ongoing constitution making process and urged women specifically to be proactive in contributing significantly to issues affecting them as women.

The villagers appreciated the presence of a Senior Government official in the area as to them it was historic for a Government official to visit the remote area of Gokwe Gumunyu. They used the platform to air their grievances over the low prices of 30 cents per kilogram for cotton being offered by buyers especially, COTCO and firms owned by Chinese people (CINO Zimbabwe).The Finance Minister promised to look into the issue as a matter of urgency as the Government had gazetted that cotton farmers get 50 cents instead of 30 cents.

The victims will receive assistance in the form of small income generating projects which they are expected to sustain themselves.

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