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Political violence in Zimbabwe knows no limit
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
August 29, 2011

"I have struggled over the years to take care of my family and I don't know what the future hold for me and my four children. I now survive on working in farms around the Chimanimani area so that I can afford to look after my children. All the promises made to me by people to assist me have been in vain I now look up to God alone to take care of me"

Widow of Temba Mandinde narrating her challenges during the memorial service of her late husband on 25 August 2011 in Chibuwe, Chipinge.

In a heart rendering narration during eight memorial services held in Chipinge and Chimanimani between 22-27 August 2011 by Heal Zimbabwe in collaboration with survivors of political violence, Mrs Mandinde wife to the late Temba Mandinde, (who was murdered in Mudzi in the 2008 election violence), gave an account of how life has become difficult for her and her children ever since her husband who was the bread winner was killed. Temba originally from Chibuwe in Chipinge had relocated to Mudzi a decade ago. Their situation was made worse when the surviving family was chased away from the Mudzi area where they had been staying for many years and had to relocate to Chipinge their rural home where they have managed to put up a hut where they all live in.

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. He mentioned that the family only got to know of the death of Temba Mandinde through a radio live broadcast of Studio 7 which was reporting on election violence in Zimbabwe in 2008. He is said to have died on 04 April 2008 and was buried in a shallow grave by the perpetrators without the knowledge and consent of his close relatives. The deceased had to be re-buried a year later in his rural area, Chipinge.

In another chilling ordeal, relatives of the late Kenias Artwell Bvekerwa narrated how he was murdered for purportedly belonging to the MDC party. 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.

Speaking on the occasion of his memorial, the local councilor, bemoaned lack of unity amongst the people and implored on people to work together so that they shun all petty political differences that can lead to loss of life .The father of the deceased highlighted that although God is the one who should be judging people, his heart would not rest until perpetrators who killed his son face the full wrath of law.

Traditional leaders have also not been spared of the political violence as witnessed by the callous murder of Chief Mawunganidze of Chipinge, who was beaten by suspected Zanu PF militias and later died due to the injuries sustained when a mob came to his house and assaulted him during the 2008 election violence. He was accused of being an MDC sympathizer and influencing people in his area to vote for the opposition.

It is worrying that young people are being used to disregard traditional institutions during election periods and this behavior threatens to wipe out the fabric which holds communities together. It has become public knowledge that traditional leaders who choose not be involved in mega phonic politics for a certain party are deemed 'enemies" and are exposed to political violence.

The failure by the Government to assist and spearhead the national healing process worsens the challenges being faced by survivors of political violence. Reparations need to be put in place for such people so that they can be able to 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. Lack of goodwill on the part of the Government will continue to exacerbate the suffering that victims of political violence have gone through over the years.

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