The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) has received with shock and disbelief the news of yet another abduction and inhuman treatment of three young women including a Member of Parliament.
This comes only some few days after the barbaric physical assault of two women, Ntombizodwa and Nokuthula Mpofu, of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo by six police officers.
It should be stated that the reports suggesting that Harare West Legislator, Joanna Mamombe and her colleagues Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, were taken from police custody and were tortured, sexually assaulted, and inhumanly treated by yet to be known agents, point to something that is against the heart of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the various International Conventions to which Zimbabwe is a signatory and, above all, to our cultural norms and our Christian fundamental beliefs regarding the sanctity and dignity of life.
There are many reasons why all peace-loving and patriotic Zimbabweans should be appalled by such abductions and torture.
First, it is deeply disturbing that the country has seen so many cases of abductions and torture in the last few months, most of which have not been conclusively investigated. What is further disturbing are the insinuations, from some State agents, that all these abductions are either stage-managed or carried out by an unrecognizable “third force” without substantiating such claims with credible and irrefutable evidence. This constitutes the denigration of responsibility of the highest order on the part of Government.
Second, this ill-treatment of women takes place in 2020 when the whole world is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, which was a global high point in the recognition of the dignity of women after centuries of patriarchal domination and treatment of women as second-class citizens of the world. We have realised that one of the major effects of the COVID-19 lockdown has been the worrying increase in domestic violence, especially against women and children. It is unthinkable that such domestic violence could be replicated even in more severe proportions with State sanction!
Third, this takes place in 2020 when the nation is celebrating its 40th Anniversary of Independence. Should this not be the year when we should all be celebrating the restoration of the dignity of all Zimbabweans in the face of racial segregation, especially women who tended to suffer double marginalization? We are appalled to see how women could suffer in the custody of the State, not only in the case of these three women but also the brutal assault of the two women from Cowdray Park in Bulawayo on 16 April by six police officers.
Fourth, we are aware of the economic hardships the ordinary people are facing as a result of the lockdown since it has interrupted the economic activities of the majority of Zimbabweans who are informally employed. Instead of the Parliament and other State Institutions providing leadership to galvanize the nation to work together to find shared solutions to ameliorate the pain of the citizens, it is unacceptable to see such callous acts executed while citizens are suffering from the effects of the lockdown.
Fifth, it is sad that this incident takes place when Zimbabwe is the current chair of the Regional Police Chiefs’ Cooperation Organization and that of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Would these responsibilities not be opportunities for the nation to demonstrate exemplary behaviour especially at the moment when we are pursuing much needed international re-engagement?
In light of the above, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations therefore calls for:
1. The institution of an urgent independent investigation into the circumstances around the brutal assault of Ntombizodwa and Nokuthula Mpofu on 16 April 2020 in Cowdray Park as well as the abduction and torture of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova. The findings should be made public with appropriate and swift disciplinary action to be instituted against the perpetrators.
2. An end to undermining of the Constitutional rights of citizens in the guise of COVID-19 intervention.
3. The immediate restoration of the integrity of Parliament so that it can exercise its oversight of the Government.
4. All institutions of the State, especially the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, Gender Commission, and the National Prosecution Authority to exercise their constitutional responsibilities ensuring that the “state and every person, including the juridic persons, and every institution and agency of the Government at every level must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights and freedoms set out” in the Zimbabwean Constitution.
5. All security officers to honourably discharge their duties, while upholding the dignity, decency and sanctity of human life.
6. All citizens to continue observing and adhering to the measures and regulations of the national lockdown in order to arrest the further spread of the coronavirus.
7. All leaders from Business, Civil Society Organizations, Churches, Political Parties and Traditional Leaders to commit to an urgent petition against arbitrary abduction and torture according to the Constitution of Zimbabwe and relevant International Conventions.
8. Pastoral support, comfort and protection for all the victims of abduction and brutality. We extend our collective prayers for their full, speedy healing and recovery.
Deuteronomy 6:18 “You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the Lord swore to give your fathers”
A statement by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations
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