Dzamara’s Submit Petition To Mugabe On (168) Days Since ‘Itai Dzamara Dissappearance’

Itai Dzamara was abducted and went missing on the 9th of March 2015 and we are still oblivious of what happened  or  is  happening  to  him.  Today  marks  one  hundred  and  sixty  seven  (168)  days  since  his disappearance.I am however concerned and disturbed by the stance assumed by you as the Head of State and by yourGovernment. In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which you swore to uphold, defend, obey andrespect,  you have  done  little  or  nothing  to  observe  Section  90 (2)  (c)  that  mandates  you to  ensureprotection of the fundamental human rights and freedoms and the rule of law.To date, you, as the Head of State and your Government at large, have done little to assist us as a familyto at least come to a place of closure. In fact, your spokesperson Mr. George Charamba indicated that theissue of our missing family member is too small to bother you, a sentiment we felt was irresponsible,insensitive and unfortunate.Although Itai Dzamara openly opposed your Government and some of its policies, his security and rightto life remains a direct and unquestionable responsibility of your Government.

Ever since Itai Dzamara’s disappearance, a lot has transpired and various theories have been promulgated.However and in spite of that, I am of the view that by now some headway would have been made ifeveryone involved and concerned acted in good faith, especially the Government through the responsibleministry, the Ministry of Home Affairs. From the onset, there has been suspicion of the involvement of State Security agents in the abduction ofItai Dzamara and that position has not changed. As you might be aware, Sir, Itai Dzamara petitioned youto step down for failing to run the country well, according to him and since that day he had been receivingthreats on his life from the security agents and he was subjected to serious torture at the hands of theZimbabwe Republic Police and other private sources within your Zanu PF political party.That, together with various activities he engaged in as an activist within the provisions of the Constitutionpresented him as a marked man by the State Security system. He was beaten, arrested and received deaththreats  by  State  Security  agents  several  times  even  though  his  activities  were  well  within  hisConstitutional rights.As highlighted above, today marks 167 days since Itai Dzamara was abducted. A human being cannotdisappear just like that. Section 49 of the Constitution states that every person has the right to personalliberty,  which includes  the  right  not  to  be deprived  of their  liberty arbitrarily  or  without  just  cause.Furthermore, the Constitution grants Itai Dzamara the right to personal security and protects him from allforms of violence from public or private sources.I am thoroughly convinced, Sir, that with your assistance and that of your Government, in good faith, wecan make some headway on this matter.

I  am  hopeful  that  Itai  Dzamara  is  still  alive  and  he  must  be  released  from  this  unjustified  andunconstitutional captivity.I hereby make the following demands:DEMAND1) That as the President of Zimbabwe sworn to protect every citizen, you should immediately issue astatement over Itai Dzamara’s disappearance.2)  That as the Head of State and Government you order whoever is keeping Itai Dzamara in captivity torelease him immediately. 3)  That as the Head of State and Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces make acommitment  and  public  announcement  that  the  State  Security  agents  shall  intensify  their  efforts  inuncovering  the  mystery  surrounding  Itai  Dzamara’s  disappearance  and  making  sure  he  is  releasedimmediately.4) That as the President of Zimbabwe and a concerned leader ensure that your Government, through theresponsible ministry engages the Dzamara family and walk with us through this austere experience.

5) That your Government through the relevant ministry take the responsibility to engage the Dzamarafamily and the nation at large on this issue the same way it engaged whoever was concerned when Cecilthe Lion was killed. Itai Dzamara’s disappearance cannot be treated as not being important.

CONCLUSION  My position is backed by many concerned Zimbabweans, who, like myself, await your response on thismatter.In  the  event  that  you  choose  to  ignore  my  demand  and  request,  I  shall  engage  all  progressiveZimbabweans within a week and protest in various ways against that in a civil, peaceful and resolutemanner as provided for within the Constitution. It defies logic and reason for my brother to disappear without a trace in a nation that is not at war andallow that to go unnoticed and unquestioned. Lastly, Sir, l beg of you to appreciate my legitimate demand and treat it with the urgency it deserves as aresponsible leader.Looking forward to your response.FaithfullyPatson Dzamara see more at www.newzimbabwevision.com

Photo-Itai Dzamara’s brother, ‘Patson’ and Itai Dzamara’s wife, ‘Sheffra’ submit the petition