Open Letter to Mugabe
SW Radio Africa
by Siphosami Malunga
Dear Mr. President
I read with utter dismay what was ascribed to be your comments relating to David Coltart and Roy Bennett as reported in the Herald of 5 September 2002. Those comments have motivated me to set the record straight and jolt your memory somewhat about the past. I have made this letter public because your comments were and it is necessary for the public to be made aware of the full facts.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Siphosami Malunga, the second son and fourth child of the late Sidney Donald Malunga, M.P for Makokoba, who died in August 1994 and was declared a national hero by your government and buried at the National Heroes Acre. I am writing this letter from the newly independent Democratic Republic of East Timor where I am a trial attorney in the Special Panel for Serious Crimes which is entrusted with the responsibility over trials of persons (including civilian, military and political leaders) for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, violations of the laws and customs of war and other serious human rights abuses which occurred in East Timor between 1975 and 1999. It is work which I enjoy as its purpose is the achievement of justice in a post-tyrannical and post-dictatorial regime which targeted the civilian population for human rights abuse.