International Day of Democracy -By Tendai Christian Mapfumo

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY BY TENDAI CHRISTIAN MAPFUMO

“No one is born a good citizen, and no nation is born a democracy. Both are processes that evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth.” – Kofi Annan

International Democracy Day is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to free speech, civil liberties, and the rule of law. It is a day to ensure accountable institutions and to protect and promote human rights. As we commemorate this day, we must reflect on the vital role democracy plays in shaping a brighter future for the people of Zimbabwe and the world at large. Democracy champions human rights, freedoms, and the rule of law, fostering a collective belief in justice and equality.

However, celebrating democracy in many African countries, particularly Zimbabwe, may seem like a fallacy. Democracy has often existed merely as a concept rather than a practice, especially in light of the events that have unfolded since our so-called independence.

Zimbabwe, constitutionally a republic, has been under the grip of an authoritarian government that has not been fairly elected since the 1980s, dominated by former president Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF regime. Under the rule of Mugabe and the current president, Emerson Mnangagwa, we have witnessed numerous human rights violations. Their regime has harassed, arrested, tortured, and abducted members of non-ZANU PF parties and civil society activists. There is a widespread disregard for the rule of law among security forces and the judiciary, along with severe restrictions on civil society.

ZANU PF has effectively controlled and manipulated the political process, undermining citizens' rights to change their government. Political activists face arbitrary arrests without justification, endure harsh prison conditions, and experience prolonged detention without trial.

Every year, credible reports emerge of politically motivated abductions and attempted abductions. There have been instances where government agents have committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, and police units have organized and participated in political violence, with perpetrators rarely facing punishment.

While the constitution and laws prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention, the government has enacted measures to weaken these protections. Despite legal prohibitions, security forces continue to carry out arbitrary arrests and detain individuals, particularly those perceived to oppose ZANU PF.

So, where is the democracy? Although the citizens of Zimbabwe yearn for genuine democratic governance, we still have a long way to go. Achieving this goal will require unity and a concerted effort to remove Mnangagwa and his ZANU PF regime.

#WeNeedARevolution

#IDofDemocracy

*About the author*

_Tendai Christian Mapfumo is a UK based Zimbabwean human rights activist. He is in the South Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. He can be contacted by emailing christendai52@gmail.com

Honouring the International Day of Democracy: Thoughts & Reflections by Memory Kishindo

Honoring the International Day of Democracy: Thoughts and Reflections by Memory Kishindo 

Democracy: What is it? A democracy is a nation that solicits feedback from its people on how it is administered.

Additionally, it's a chance to emphasize how crucial it is to preserve civil freedoms, free expression, the rule of law, accountable institutions, and individuals' human rights. Are we Zimbabweans pleased to celebrate the Day of Democracy? No, and why?

We are being murdered, tortured, kidnapped, falsely arrested, and coerced into disappearances whenever we attempt to speak out.

Since March 2015, when Itai Dzamara vanished, his family has been searching for answers. Human rights advocate Dzamara pushed the Zimbabwean government to respect human rights and address urgent economic problems. The head of Amnesty International in Zimbabwe, Lucia Masuka, urged the government of Emmerson Mnangagwa to take steps to track down and identify the activist who has gone missing. The government has done nothing, made no attempt, and kept quiet about Dzamara's disappearance for a long time. 

In Zimbabwe, a lack of the rule of law has resulted in widespread corruption, embezzlement of public monies, and a jobless rate over 90%. Youths have therefore turned to drug misuse as a way to cope with the hardships of unemployment. Over the past ten years, as the nation's economy continues to deteriorate, substance abuse has become increasingly prevalent. Democracy won't exist in Zimbabwe as long as Mnangagwa and the Zanu-PF party are in power, let alone be celebrated in a free and just nation. Unless the Zanu-PF junta party is forced from office and a new generation of leaders is chosen through free and fair democratic elections. 

As a human rights advocate, I declare that enough is enough. We are sick and weary of Zimbabwean individuals being killed, subjected to cruelty, and having their human rights violated. We have endured far too much suffering at the hands of a corrupt and cruel man. 

#IDofDemocracy2024

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. 

A Letter to My Fellow Zimbabweans: Standing Against Corruption and Injustice

3rd September 2024

Dear Zimbabweans, 

As I address you today, my name is Beauty Msimanga, I am a proud political activist, a member of the Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) and, a member of Restoration Of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. Who I am is important only because I stand with you, representing the collective voice of our people who have suffered for too long. What drives me to write this letter is the unbearable state of our nation under the oppressive rule of ZANU-PF, led by Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. We must speak out now because our future—Zimbabwe’s future—is at stake.

The dreams of millions have turned into the nightmares we now live daily. Every day, ordinary Zimbabweans like you and me struggle to survive. Families go to bed hungry, not knowing where the next meal will come from, while those in power gorge themselves on the wealth that rightfully belongs to us all. Our schools are failing, our hospitals are crumbling, and our youth are fleeing in search of opportunities that should be available here at home. This is happening because Mnangagwa and his corrupt regime have systematically looted our resources, mismanaged our economy, and turned a blind eye to our suffering.

Where is the justice for Zimbabweans who dare to demand a better life? Look at the brutal treatment of our brothers, Job Sikhala and Jacob Ngarivhume. Job Sikhala, a fearless opposition leader and human rights lawyer, spent 595 days in pretrial detention—nearly two years—simply for standing up against the injustices inflicted upon our people. Jacob Ngarivhume, an activist and founder of the Transform Zimbabwe party, was unjustly detained for eight months because he dared to organize peaceful protests against the corruption that is suffocating our nation.

Our government has stopped being a servant of the people and has become a parasite feeding off our misery. This regime has betrayed the very people it claims to represent. Mnangagwa and his cronies have turned Zimbabwe into their personal fiefdom, where they live in luxury while the rest of us are left to fend for ourselves. They have destroyed our democracy, stripping away our rights and freedoms, all while pretending to govern. Zimbabwe is a nation where the rich get richer, and the poor are left to die.

Who are we as Zimbabweans if we allow this to continue? What kind of future can we expect if we do not fight back? When will enough be enough? The suffering we endure is not an accident—it is the direct result of Mnangagwa’s deliberate actions to enrich himself and his inner circle at the expense of the people. We can not stand by and watch as our nation is dragged further into the abyss. We must unite, rise together, and demand the change we deserve.

If we do not take a stand, the injustices will only grow, and our hope will die. As I have travelled across Zimbabwe, I have met countless brave souls who refuse to be silenced, who refuse to accept this as our fate. What gives me hope is you—the people of Zimbabwe. Together, we can create a movement powerful enough to challenge this corrupt regime and reclaim our country. We, the ordinary citizens, united in our struggle, will lead this initiative.

Our strength is in our unity, in the oneness of our voices, and we can no longer be ignored. Our demands for a democratic society, free from corruption and injustice, are not just rights; they are the foundation of the future we deserve. We must act now, for ourselves and for future generations.

I stand with you in this fight because I believe in a Zimbabwe where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive, where our government is accountable to the people, and where justice prevails. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will reclaim our future.

#MnangagwaMustGo 

#NoToViolence

#WeWantChange

#Zanu-PFMust Go

#NewGovernment 

#NewLeadership

#StopHumanRightsViolations

About the author

Beauty Msimanga is a political activist, a member of the Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) and, a member of Midlands Branch of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe.