Back to Index

Macheke residents forced to attend ZANU PF activist's burial
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
May 06, 2010

Armed fourth brigade forces, forced Macheke residents to attend a funeral service for a ZANU PF activist at Masvingo provincial heroes acre yesterday.

Soldiers dressed in their army regalia, some armed with guns and other weapons, marched from Mucheke F, D, Runyararo West and Hillside forcing residents to accompany them to the burial of a war veteran and a former ZANU (PF) loyalist, Javas Takavada. These soldiers were acting from an alleged directive from Masvingo governor Titus Maluleke.

Takavada was declared a provincial hero following his dearth on Sunday. He was infamous for victimising opposition supporters in Masvingo. Residents of Macheke expressed displeasure at the harassment by the security force. Even children who were on the street at the time of the soldiers' invasion were dragged to the burial. All the victims were coerced into leaving everything they were doing to attend the burial. The residents had to cooperate with the soldiers for fear of infuriating the gunmen, putting their lives at risk.

Efforts to get Maluleke's side of the story over the phone yesterday were fruitless as he hung up soon after stating that he was still at the funeral.

Although in the African culture people in close communities are encouraged to comfort each other in times of moaning, it cannot be imposed. ZimRights condemns the behaviour by the soldiers as they clearly infringed the people's rights to choose. One cannot be forced to attend a funeral, it lies entirely with an individual whether or not to offer comfort. It is time the security sector in Zimbabwe ceases to politicise every event and respect basic human rights.

Visit the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP