In Zimbabwe, Justice is an endangered species

For all this talk about ‘unity’ and ‘looking forward’, seldom have I heard any Zimbabwean, particularly the politicians, ever commit to the pursuit of ‘Justice’. There are a lot of Zimbabweans that were victims of violence and discrimination over the last decade; Zimbabweans that saw their loved ones beaten, raped or murdered right before their eyes. Its these same Zimbabweans that seek closure in a political and legal atmosphere that would rather sweep injustice and legal accountability aside; a political and legal environment the sets some people above the law and even when the trail of blood leads back to them, exempts them from any accountability. Indeed, what must be hard for many Zimbabweans who’ve suffered injustice is the realization that some of those perpetrators still walk the streets; and what must be even harder for them is knowing who those perpetrators are. Imagine how hard it must be for a son to see the people that beat your father to death walk freely or how hard it must be as a mother to hear the man who raped your daughter say “Good morning” to you as you walk to the bus station.

 

Sadly, those who have never suffered vicious injustice are always the first to ask a people to forgive and those that have committed these injustices are always the first to insist on turning over a new leaf. Only the heartless, naive or ignorant would think things are great now. Without a justice system that can be respected; without a police force than can uphold the law without susceptibility to political bias or corruption; without an army that stays neutral in matters of civilized discourse, Zimbabwe will once again find itself locked in a brutal, tense and fragile existence. I know a lot of people are quick to quote Bible verses referencing ‘forgiveness’ but its that same Bible that teaches us the importance of upholding ‘Justice’; “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers” Proverbs 21 verse 15.

 

Sincerely yours,

Kwapi

 

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