Commemorating the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: Remembering the Disappeared in Zimbabwe

30th August 2024 

On this International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, we pause to reflect on the lives lost, the anguish endured, and the relentless pursuit of justice that continues for countless families across the world. For those of us from Zimbabwe and the broader diaspora, this day holds particular significance. It serves as a solemn reminder of our nation's tragic history, where enforced disappearances have been weaponized by the ZANU-PF regime, led by Emmerson Mnangagwa, to silence dissent and instill fear. These heinous crimes have persisted, targeting those who dare to oppose the oppressive regime. We honor all those who have been forcibly disappeared in Zimbabwe and around the world. It is a day to renew our commitment to holding Mnangagwa and his government accountable and to ensuring that such crimes do not go unpunished.

Enforced disappearance is not just a crime; it is an insidious form of oppression that erases individuals from their communities, families, and societies. This brutal practice dates back to the era of Robert Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe, during which the current president, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, was a key figure in the same oppressive government. The government, now led by Mnangagwa and still controlled by ZANU-PF, continues to employ these horrifying tactics to suppress opposition and maintain its grip on power. Those who are forcibly taken often vanish without a trace, detained without charges or trial, hidden away from the world, and denied their basic human rights. Their families are left in agonizing limbo, trapped between hope and despair, seeking answers that are too often never provided.

In Zimbabwe, the dark legacy of enforced disappearances haunts the collective memory of our nation. Names like Paul Chizuze, Tonderai Ndira, and Beta Chokururama evoke deep pain and enduring questions that demand answers. These men were all MDC activists who stood against the oppressive ZANU-PF regime, and their disappearances are stark reminders of the lengths to which this regime will go to maintain control. Patrick Nabanyama, a union leader and MDC activist, disappeared in 2000, his case emblematic of the state's crackdown on dissent during a time of political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe. These individuals, along with countless others whose names are less known, represent the enduring struggle for human rights and justice in Zimbabwe.

Itai Dzamara, a Zimbabwean journalist and political activist, was among those who bravely confronted the regime. His disappearance remains a powerful symbol of the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice in Zimbabwe.  Thembalami Ndebele, an MDC activist who was abducted in 2002. Days later, Central Intelligence Organization officers delivered a death certificate to his family, yet his remains have never been found. The pursuit of justice for the disappeared in Zimbabwe and elsewhere is a long and challenging journey. However, it is one that we must continue to walk. We believe that justice will prevail and that no stone will be left unturned. We pray that the souls of the disappeared rest in power.

On this International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, let us stand in solidarity with the families and communities still seeking answers. Let us remember the disappeared and commit to a future where such atrocities are not only condemned but also prevented.

#StopEnforcedDisappearances  
#StopAbductions
#ZANUPFMustGo
#MnangagwaAccountability    

About the author
Memory Kishindo is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is a member of the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.