A CALL TO END STATE SPONSORED RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY ZIMBABWEAN STATE AGENCIES

19th July 2020,

This video features female members of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe, namely Vongayi Mufara, Marciline Mercy Mzondiwa, Alvina Chibhamu, Thenjiwe Ndlovu, Olivia Chamboko, Harriet Ndlovu, Nontokozo Malaba Ncube, Mavis Harrison Tshuma, Linda Chenyama and Delina Mutyambizi.

As a follow up to the campaign #StopViolenceAgainstWomen which launched last month on the 7^th June 2020, the Scotland Branch of ROHR Zimbabwe, joined by other members from the wider ROHR community, has proceeded to tackle one arm of the umbrella campaign. The focus is on Sexual torture and rape against women.

According to the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Margaret Sangarwe, “Twenty two women are raped daily in Zimbabwe, one woman is abused every 75 minutes and an average of 646 women are being sexually-abused monthly and one in three girls is raped or sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 18”.

While violence against women is rampant in the country, what is most alarming and disturbing is the fact that the very entities meant to protect women against such atrocities are the very same ones committing the crimes.

Sexual abuse of women is being used by the ruling party as a political tool.

The National Army, the Police and State Security agents have been and continue to be used by the ruling party –Zanu-PF to suppress citizens and preserve its partisan and narrow political interests.

Section 25 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, states that;

“The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must protect and foster the institution of the family and in particular must endeavour, within the limits of the resources available to them, to adopt measures for--

a.  the provision of care and assistance to mothers, fathers and other family members who have charge of children; and

b.  the prevention of domestic violence”.

There have been countless rape and sexual assault cases which, very sadly, are politically motivated. This is a blatant disregard and direct violation of the said section of the constitution of Zimbabwe. These incidents of state sponsored or state sanctioned violence are creating institutionalised intimidation, a tool to silence dissent.

Worse still victims that make official reports to the Police often face further violence from the perpetrators since the perpetrators are the same people one has to make a report to.

Because the perpetrators are state sponsored, victims face difficulties in seeking legal recourse and may face further persecution. All this is, quite frankly, a desperate effort or last kicks of ‘ED’-dying horse to cling onto power by all means without regard to the rights and welfare of the citizens.

Zimbabwe state security agents have continued these toxic acts with impunity.

We are appealing to the Zimbabwe government to deal with this hostile environment that exists for women in the country and stop the culture of violence against women which has become part and parcel of the political sphere. We continue to petition the international community to stop this culture of impunity

By ROHR Scotland Branch Committee