New group seeks justice for victims of violence

July 11, 2010

The Zimbabwean

By Staff Reporter

9 July 2010

BULAWAYO – Victims of political violence in Bulawayo have formed a new organisation they say will work to bring perpetrators of violence and rights abuses to justice.
Secretary of the Zimbabwe Victims of Organised Violence Trust,  Themba Nyathi, described the new group as “victim-led, victim-driven and victim centred.” He said perpetrators of violence are determined and organised while victims are scattered and vulnerable.
“We are talking about violence that is sponsored violence. Violence whereby people sit down and agree to sanction some kind of violent action against individuals,” he added.
As a victim of violence himself, Nyathi said he is very familiar with the issues surrounding political violence in Zimbabwe and the culture of impunity.
The group’s chairperson is Patricia Nabanyama, the well-known activist whose husband disappeared many years ago after being abducted by suspected Zanu (PF) agents.
Nabanyama, who was an election agent for David Coltart in Bulawayo, has never been seen alive since his abduction. The people suspected to have abducted are known but have never been ever arrested or interrogated over the matter.
Nyathi said: “We need what we call a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the framework of the constitution, which has got a mandate, an authority to do something to bring justice for the victims.”
Asked whether the group represented any victims of violence claiming to be Zanu (PF) members, Nyathi said that his group did not represent members of President Robert Mugabe’s party because they were the ones behind most of the political violence in the country.
He also acknowledged that it is going to be very difficult to prosecute supporters of the party that is sponsoring the violence, but concluded: “If we don’t do it then who will?”