By Kudakwashe Vhenge
Local comedienne, Gonyeti has today, Thursday received letters of solidarity from members of the international community together with two other victims of human rights violations.
The other two include Citizens Manifesto coordinator, Tatenda Mombeyarara and another minor (name withheld) who survived a gunshot in the chest during January 2019 protests in Kadoma allegedly at the hands of the police.
The letters, facilitated by an Ireland based human rights defender together with Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) which were pencilled as “Christmas cards campaign” scheduled for the festive season saw a belated arrival early this week at ZPP offices in the capital and were handed over to the recipients today.
Speaking at the handover event, ZPP National Director Jestina Mukoko showed gratitude for the recognition that has been bestowed on victims of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
“l would like to thank everyone who participated in this campaign so as to show that you guys are not on your own.
“This also shows that what is transpiring (violations) in Zimbabwe is being observed not only in this country but beyond our borders,” said Mukoko.
Gonyeti real name Samantha Kureya was on 21 August 2019 reportedly abducted from her Mufakose home in Harare by suspected state agents who assaulted, tortured and dumped her in Crowborough.
She expressed joy to have received words of solidarity after having received a backlash on social media.
“It is just good to know that there are people out there who think about us. It’s not easy that after these things have happened to you, you hear people saying it’s stage-managed.
“Comments on social media especially Facebook affected and still affects me, think of a government official saying we don’t care about a comedian it’s something that hurts, these letters therefore soothes our pains,” said Kureya.
Tatenda Mombeyarara who sustained a broken leg, fractured hand and bruises after being abducted by suspected state agents on 13 August 2019 in Harare and was left in a bushy area in Hatfield termed the letters “priceless”.
“For me ever since I have fallen victim to this violence, this has never happened to me. Moments like this are priceless as some of the healing does not come with bandages and physiotherapy alone.
“I am humbled and would like to thank ZPP. Witnessing individuals reaching out to us in such a way is priceless as it gets to the inner core where the pain lays,” said Mamboyarara.
From 2011 to September 2019, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has recorded over 1200 cases of human rights violations by the law enforcement agencies, including 363 cases of torture, 516 cases of assault, 58 cases of death threats, 399 cases of unlawful arrest and 451 cases of unlawful detention
