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Peace building public meeting in Ngezi
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
September 02, 2010

In a bid to engage every Zimbabwean in peace building discussions, ZimRights is penetrating different communities in all the country's ten provinces. One such meeting was held in Mamina Village in Ngezi (Mashonaland West). Fifty six people attended the meeting.

During the meeting, residents raised a number of peace barriers within their community which included poverty, partisan leaders and negligence of duty by security agents. Corruption and lack of respect for basic human rights have also become barriers to peace building seeing that all these result in restlessness, violence and propaganda within the community. Traditional leaders were said to be the main culprits of corruption for financial gain and political favour. Participants said most councillors and headmen (sabhuku) have resorted to carrying out activities sponsored by ZANU PF, hence, all their work is geared towards the fulfilment of ZANU PF ideologies. This has pushed up the level of intolerance of other organisations that do not speak the ZANU PF language. With ZANU PF monopolising most of the community, all non supporters continue to suffer for that reason. This intolerance has contributed significantly in stimulating hatred and instability.

Failure by the police to fulfil their obligation of offering security has had negative effect on efforts to make peace. It has been reported that they are letting criminals run loose, even when people have evidence against the criminal. As a result, there has been increase in the number of thieves who are going around stealing livestock, and the police have done nothing to ensure that justice is executed. Participants agreed that this police negligence is instigating chaos and hostility among people as many people are grumbling about their lost property.

Participants agreed that there is need to lobby as well as work together with their local authorities to ensure that there is respect for basic human rights. They also pointed to the need to have human rights education meetings with the police, local leaders and politicians in their community so that they encourage everyone to embrace the culture of peace.

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