SURVIVORS of political violence in Bindura on Friday made an emotional return to Chipadze Hall — a former torture base used by Zanu PF militias during previous elections.
The victims recounted their stories during a public hearing for the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Bill.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Chipadze Hall evoked emotional memories in the discussion as it was once a no-go area for non-Zanu PF supporters.
Nicholas Midzi, whose two sons were allegedly killed at the same hall in 2008, made an emotional contribution, calling for a provision in the Bill to ensure compensation for victims of political violence and torture.
Midzi said he would not find it easy to reconcile with those who traumatised him and his family to the extent of killing his sons without compensation.
“I lost two sons, Trymore and Moffat Chivaura, who were killed in this hall following instructions from a former Cabinet minister [name withheld],” he said emotionally.
“My home was taken and I was forced to leave employment as a police officer, yet you just want me to forgive without compensation?”
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Another victim, who was beaten in the same hall which is also known as Tendai Community Centre, said his entire wealth was destroyed by Zanu PF militia.
He alleged Zanu PF left him in poverty and, therefore, compensation should be integral to the NPRC Bill.
“I lost my cattle and my home, my brother was killed and we were left struggling like paupers, yet the Bill is silent on how to restore lost wealth and dignity,” the violence survivor said.
MDC-T youth leader Happymore Chidziva said the NPRC Bill would be more useful since most of their party members had been either hounded out of their home or the country and were seeking refuge in foreign land and feared for their lives if they were to return.
“We have lots of our members who were tortured and had to flee their homes, that threat is real even as we speak, some are in the diaspora, but most are in South Africa were they are hiding from this regime, their families are not even safe,” he said.
MDC-T members who include Winnet Chiukira, Tawanda Marova and Tinashe Mufaro among many have said their fear returning to Zimbabwe as long as the Zanu PF regime is still in power and its militia is allowed to roam the streets without restraint.
The worst is that when members of the public are attacked, their homes burnt and they report to the police no action is taken and no protection is offered leaving many with no option but to flee the country.
Members of the public said as most political violence was allegedly State-sponsored, government had an obligation to compensate victims as part of restorative justice remedies.
“Violence was State-sponsored because police failed to act against the perpetrators and, therefore, should pay for their complicity,” said Tawanda Mitsva, whose hand is now supported by a steel bracelet.
It became an emotional affair for some of the Zanu PF senators who were part of the committee chaired by Damien Mumvuri when Peter Muturuko called for President Robert Mugabe to be dragged before the NPRC to offer a personal apology.
Members of the committee had to be cautioned by Mumvuri after they booed Muturuko.
Participants also said NPRC investigations should have timeframes, beginning from 1980. They said police officers who acted in cohorts with perpetrators by abusing their offices should be prosecuted.
