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Haunted Zaka: Will peace get a chance in 2018?

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JUNE 3, 2008 remains the darkest post-independence day for villagers in Zaka-Jerera.

JUNE 3, 2008 remains the darkest post-independence day for villagers in Zaka-Jerera.

BY TAPIWA ZIVIRA

On that cold Tuesday morning, residents of Jerera Growth Point woke up to the haunting sight of a charred body lying outside one of the buildings.

The body belonged to Crison Mbano, one of the two MDC-T activists who succumbed to the previous night’s attack on the MDC-T office housing party members and villagers, who had fled political violence in the nearby villages.

According to witnesses, men armed with rifles broke into the hideout and unleashed a petrol bomb on the victims.

The incident was part of the countrywide onslaught on opposition supporters after the then President Robert Mugabe lost the first round presidential election to opposition MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai and was seeking to regain control ahead of the second round.

According to the MDC-T, over 200 of their supporters were killed between April and June 2008 allegedly by Zanu PF militia, with reports there was a heavy involvement of the state security in the systematic violence that involved arson, abductions, and other forms of organised violence.

Nine years later, there has not been any healing and reconciliation process and the perpetrators still walk scot-free, leaving a dark cloud hanging on communities like Zaka, where villagers survived or witnessed first-hand the acts of brutality.

Significantly, the country holds an election in about six months, the first in the post-Mugabe era and questions remain on whether this will give the country the much-needed fresh breath at violence-free elections.

The military, which was reportedly a key part in the bloody 2008 election, still has a significant role in politics given that it was pivotal in the recent fall of Mugabe and the rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa, the military’s favourite who has since appointed some top military chefs as ministers, will contest in the 2018 elections on a Zanu PF ticket.

For some the villagers here in Jerera, it is a moment of uncertainty, characterised by the haunting memory of the 2008 violence.

“The images are still fresh and although Mugabe is gone, it appears there will not be any changes to the way elections are run. I am unsettled,” a vendor at the growth point, said.

A shopkeeper at the growth point, who calls himself Nyati was among the witnesses of the June 3, 2008 arson.

Oliver Mtukudzi’s Todii plays softly on his little Chinese-made radio and when asked about the incident, he closes his eyes and bows his head briefly before looking at us, his eyes still partially closed.

“Mbano was my friend,” he said, a teardrop reflecting on the weak candlelight. “He died in pain. I do not know what to do to forget the incident, it still haunts me.”

On the radio, Todii befittingly plays on like the soundtrack to this sad story.

“I just hope for peace, but what shall we do considering that it appears the same people are still in charge of government and the election process? We are still in the same cycle.”

As Nyati spoke, outside, at an open space near the shops, a local non-governmental organisation, Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) — in partnership with the Election Resource Centre and Zimbabwe Human Rights Association — was conducting roadshow as part of their campaign to encourage people to register to vote, and to vote peacefully.

Thousands had gathered to listen to the messages, which were being conveyed through various media including music, drama, posters, and speeches.

Conscious of the political tension in the area considering there has not been a healing and reconciliation process, HZT facilitated photo sessions, where community members reaffirmed their bid to pledge for peace during the coming election period.

Those who chose to pledge where photographed with a placard bearing their name and their pledge to peace.

At 19, Karen Musikavanhu was only 10 years old when the arson incident occurred, and she is anticipating the opportunity to cast her first vote in peace next year.

“I have pledged for peace because I want to help build a generation of peace. I hope to exercise my right in peace,” she said. “I am glad that the presence of us the young and the old sharing messages of peace at this event helps us build the community harmony that is necessary for peace.”

HZT — which has been advocating for peace and national reconciliation countrywide — has roped in traditional leaders, who reportedly fanned political violence in favour of Zanu PF in past elections.

The Jerera villagers gathered at the roadshow cheered when local Chief Nyakunhuwa publicly urged his colleagues to desist from perpetrating human rights violations.

“Traditional leaders must not perpetrate human rights, now we hear that there are some unscrupulous traditional leaders forcing community members to submit serial numbers and denying proof of residence for political reasons. This must stop, let us all practice tolerance, elections should not breed violence, but we must remain united as a community and repel forces that trigger electoral violence,” he said

HZT programmes manager, Sitabile Dewa, said their organisation was going across the country conducting various peace awareness raising activities.

“Some of the activities include peace concerts, sports for peace tournaments, clean up campaigns, community interface dialogue meetings, target lobbying and nhimbes,” she said.

Election Resource Centre’s Solomon Bobosibunu, an expert in elections and electoral issues, said they were partnering with HZT to encourage everyone to exercise their democratic right to vote.

As the event dragged on, another day was passing for the people of Jerera, their hopes, just as Karen said, were for peaceful political participation, and their fears, as Nyati said alluded to, were that the same system that caused the violence was still in place.