ON Thursday, Heal Zimbabwe Trust remembered the victims and survivors of the violence in the run-up to the infamous June 27, 2008 runoff presidential election.
The State-sponsored brutal violence that characterised the runoff election, claiming more than 200 lives, displacing thousands of opposition activists, while leaving hundreds of citizens injured was the worst since Gukurahundi and is still etched in the nation’s memory.
Sadly, the victims and survivors of this dark moment of our history have not known any justice as the perpetrators were not prosecuted.
The culture of impunity that has accompanied and sustained political violence in post independence Zimbabwe has allowed perpetrators of the 2008 political violence to escape the arms of lady justice until today.
This has heightened the sense of fear in our people every time Zimbabwe goes for an election, eroding true and effective citizen participation in national governance processes.
Successive national institutions meant to ensure transitional justice, the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) did little to bring the needed healing to the victims and communities affected by political violence and intolerance.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust has over the past 15 years, worked in some of the hotspots of political violence focusing on memorialisation, community cohesion and advocating for institutional reform.
In areas like Zaka, Buhera and Gutu, Heal Zimbabwe has managed to bring perpetrators and victims to dialogue through our community peace clubs and Women Safe Spaces for Healing and Reconciliation.
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As we remember the hundreds of citizens who lost limbs, lives and livelihoods on account of their right to political choices, we call for a new Commission on National Healing, Reconciliation and Transitional Justice that will be more independent, stronger and effective than the previous NPRC whose tenure ended in August 2023.
A new national healing institution anchored on the African Union Transitional Justice Policy will truly bring healing and closure to the hundreds of survivors of this dark moment whose wounds are yet to be healed.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust remains committed to foster a peaceful, tolerant and socially cohesive Zimbabwe that respects fundamental freedoms and is free of violence.
Our community cohesion building programmes will continue to address past injustices to build a peaceful and just future for all. - Heal Zimbabwe Trust
