IDPs and Returnees situational analysis - Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has been experiencing an internal displacement situation in the country. Despite the displacement having occured largelly last year the shockwaves of the situation are only starting to show on the surface. Below is a brief outline of the situation on the ground as regards the everyday life of the IDPs and Retrurnees in relation to community members.
Observations from the field revealed that a new dynamic is emerging in conflict resolution by community members, affectionately referred to as “anti air’ by the community. Because people are not allowed to talk openly about the atrocities that transpired during the political violence times, animators revealed that mysterious deaths mostly attributed witchcraft have surfaced in the communities. This reveals that there is no forgiveness in the communities and the fact that there are no platforms for sustained dialogue for reconciliation, people are now venting their grief and anger through this way.
Further findings show that there is now a marked increase in incidents of alcohol poisoning in the communities, this is further dividing the communities along partisan lines – whereby those from ZANU PF and those from the MDC formations do not drink together in fear of being poisoned to death. The major reasons stated for the happenings is that those who were victims of the abuses and had their properties looted are trying to met instant justice on the perpetrators since the usual rouse like the courts and the police are reluctant to act on the issues.
There have been observations of selective justice being meted by the police force in cases connected to the violence that transpired during the election period. Community members largely feel that the perpetrators of the atrocities who were largely pro-ZANU PF are not being arrested while those from other parties were arrested if they committed any violent acts even in protecting themselves and their properties. A case in point was the Gutu case were the Chiefs young brother was brutally assaulted by known assailants but they still walk free despite the fact that reports were made to the police. Further to the failure by security personnel to carry out their duties fairly, revelations show that some security personnel; were actually involved in the victimization of community members. Cases, especially those connected with livestock looting for consumption at militia camps have not been reported and a few that were reported are being suppressed because of the involvement of either army or the police personnel in the said lootings hence the protectionist approach by the security forces.
The above analysis is not an end in itself, tro fully comprehend the situation a broader research needs to be done as these findings are representative of only the Masvingo and Midlands provinces of Zimbabwe.
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