Honouring Heroes Amidst Unfinished Struggle: A Call for True Liberation in Zimbabwe – by Valentine Monalisa Mudonhi

11th August 2024

Heroes Day in Zimbabwe is observed annually on the second Monday of August. This year, it’s being held on Monday, the 12th of August 2024. It is a significant holiday honouring the sacrifices and contributions of those who fought for the country’s liberation from colonial rule. The day commemorates the heroes and heroines of the Second Chimurenga, the liberation war against colonialism in Zimbabwe. 

The day is marked by official speeches, ceremonies, and events to honour the sacrifices made during the fight for our independence. I join the nation in commemorating Heroes Day as we reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought on our behalf. However, celebrating Heroes Day has been overshadowed by Zimbabwe's dire human rights and governance state.

The State-sponsored political persecution of citizens, arbitrary arrests, torture, abductions, enforced disappearances, murders, beatings, and other human rights violations perpetuated by ZANU PF under Mnangagwa's leadership is not what the heroes died for. While the day is intended to honour those who fought for freedom and justice, the ZANU PF government under Mnangagwa’s leadership has frequently engaged in practices that undermine these principles.

As of now, on the 12th of August 2024, here are some victims of the repression and torture:

- Namatai Kwekweza ( a female human rights activist, feminist, and constitutionalism advocate), together with Robert Chere (Secretary General of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe – ARTUZ), Samuel Gwenzi (Councillor – City of Harare) and Vusumuzi Moyo (Artist, Sound Engineer and activist), were dragged from a plane and abducted at Harare International Airport on 31st July 2024. They were tortured for more than eight hours.

- Seventy-eight political activists, including CCC interim party leader Jameson Timba and a mother with a one-year-old child, were arrested whilst holding a meeting at Jameson Timba’s house in Avondale, Harare on 16th June 2024. Including the one-year-old child, they are still in prison for 57 days as of today, having been denied bail a couple of times.

The full list of the recent cases of persecution can be found here.

These people are suffering persecution, arbitrary arrest, and torture.

ZANU PF, under Mnangagwa, is using state agencies and institutions to target opposition leaders, activists, and critics. This includes politically motivated arrests, harassment, and violence. The State and ZANU PF have cracked down on public demonstrations and protests against rigged elections, corruption, bad governance, economic hardships and corruption. These have been met with heavy-handed responses from security forces, including the use of live ammunition, teargas, and mass arrests.

The contradiction between the ideals celebrated on Heroes Day, and Zimbabwe's current state of governance is stark. While the day is meant to honour those who fought for the country’s freedom, the ongoing persecution of citizens and suppression of fundamental rights suggest that the struggle for true liberation is not yet complete. 

Consequently, there is an enduring air of apprehension and tension amongst the Zimbabwean populace, which has led to growing disillusionment among many Zimbabweans who feel that ZANU PF is betraying the legacy of the liberation struggle.

Happy Heroes Day, Zimbabwe, and may the future bring true liberation that so many have sacrificed for.

#FreeZimbabwe  

#StopUnjustArrests  

#StopTorture  

#StopHumanRightsViolations

About the author

Valentine Monalisa Mudonhi is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is the Organising Secretary for the Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She can be contacted by email at valentinemudonhi@gmail.com OR valentine.mudonhi@rohr-zimbabwe.org