MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO-Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world on International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims with renewed calls for justice, accountability, and respect for human dignity, as concerns persist over unresolved cases of abuse and enforced disappearances on March 24.
The commemorations come at a time when the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) says the country continues to grapple with a troubling legacy of human rights violations, including abductions, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
Kudakwashe Matambo, the ZPP Communications and Advocacy Lead noted that these abuses not only affect victims but also leave lasting trauma on families and communities.
One of the most emblematic cases remains that of Itai Dzamara, a journalist and pro-democracy activist who was abducted in 2015 and has never been found.
His disappearance continues to symbolise the denial of truth and justice in Zimbabwe.
He added that more recently, the disappearance of councillor-elect Gift Konjana has raised fresh concerns about ongoing violations.
ZPP reports that in 2026 alone, at least 79 cases of gross human rights violations were recorded, with many involving political activists, opposition members, and ordinary citizens.
The organisation says victims are often subjected to abduction and torture without meaningful investigations or prosecutions, further entrenching a culture of impunity.
Some cases have turned deadly. The 2023 abduction and killing of opposition activist Tapfumaneyi Masaya highlighted the persistence of politically motivated violence and the urgent need for stronger protections for citizens.
Tensions around governance and political processes have also contributed to the situation.
During the period surrounding the SADC Summit August 2024, ZPP documented 16 incidents of human rights violations linked to protests and political debates, including arbitrary arrests and torture.
Many of these cases remain unresolved.
In a statement, ZPP said the current environment reflects a shrinking democratic space, where violence is increasingly used to silence dissent.
The organisation warned that failure to investigate abuses, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide reparations has deepened fear and silence among citizens, while survivors continue to endure both physical and psychological trauma.
The group has called on the Government of Zimbabwe to take urgent steps to address the crisis. These include conducting prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into all reported violations, ensuring full disclosure on the fate of missing persons, and delivering justice to victims and their families.
ZPP also urged authorities to ratify and domesticate the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), strengthen accountability mechanisms, and implement security sector reforms aligned with constitutional and human rights standards.
As the country reflects on the significance of Truth Day, ZPP emphasised the need for a rights-based approach to peace building one that prioritises truth-telling, accountability, and institutional reform.
The organisation stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without justice.
“Truth, justice, and dignity are not optional; they are fundamental rights,” the statement read.
“Ending impunity is not only a legal obligation, but a moral imperative for building a democratic and peaceful Zimbabwe.”
