39 years of violence: Whither post-war trauma?

From the bottom of my heart...

I am deeply saddened and heartbroken by the current state of affairs in my country. Some of my erstwhile Comrades are congratulating Zimbabweans who engaged in violence yesterday saying it was long overdue. Violence begets violence. Freedom of speech should never infringe on other people's rights.

Zimbabwe attained its independence after a guerilla warfare second chimurenga war. At independence in 1980, government was occupied by war veterans who were still dealing with war trauma, some to date never got counselling. 19 years down the line Zimbabwe is still suffering from the effects of post war trauma, the only way ZanuPF government ever knew of dealing with conflict was through violence and silencing dissenting voices.

Since independence dissenting voices have been silenced using state militia, police and security agents. Zimbabweans went through horrendous encounters of the Gukurahundi massacres, land invasion violence, pre & post election violence since 2000, short sleeve, long sleeve in 2008, police brutality on activists since 1998-2018 and the now the masses have arisen to protest violently unarmed which is a recipe for disaster.

Whilst some progressive activists like myself, churches and other level headed civic society organizations have been preaching peace, unity and tolerance over the past two years, some malcontents within activists and political parties have been abusing their popularity by inciting violence.

Violence will further divide us and destroy us as a people. There is no resolution that will ever be achieved through violent conducts. Its rather unfortunate that when the elephants fight the grass suffers. Right now most of the casualties of yesterday's violence are innocent people who did not even take part in the violent protests. Those who called for the protests are sitting comfortably in safe places.

I am against any form of violence. Violence will always manifest, Zimbabwe is a broken nation because of multiple cycles of violence perpetrated on its people for decades We can't mend what is broken using violence. Violence will further tear us apart &further divide us. Now is the time my fellow brothers and sisters, father's and mothers to all work towards being Peace Makers.

We are all going through a tough phase as Zimbabweans and need to exercise restraint and to be tolerant of divergent views. It took 38 years to run down Zimbabwe and it is only foolhardy to expect our economy to bounce back overnight. No one deserves to die for other people's political egos.

I urge the church to continue praying for Zimbabwe and mediating between the political parties that are fighting for power. People shouldn't be made to suffer for one to continue questioning legitimacy. The government of the day should desist from descending violently on unarmed civilians, protestors should respect the law of this land and protest peacefully. Those in the diaspora should stop inciting violence in the comfort of their homes.

Now is the time for conflict resolution through dialogue, truth telling, repentance and reconciliation. Zimbabwe will not progress so long we are not united as a people in our diversity. Depolarization of our political economy is critical at this juncture. It is easy to destroy in our anger and frustrations but its so difficult to reconstruct and rebuild.

I implore the government to have mercy on the people of Zimbabwe who engaged in violent protests yesterday. Zimbabweans have suffered enough and most of them are living in abject poverty and destitution. A responsible government cares and protects for its citizens. Focus should be on development, production and reviving the economy of Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans.

God save Zimbabwe, Let's stop the violence and nurture love. We will get there someday.

Linda Tsungirirai Masarira
Pro-Development and Democracy Activist