Zimbabwe

Heroes’ Day: Allow people to enjoy freedoms

HEROES Day, celebrated every second Monday in August, honours those who sacrificed their lives for Zimbabwe's freedom from colonial rule.

Tens of thousands of guerrilla fighters and civilians lost their lives in the liberation struggle, with many more sustaining permanent injuries. These sacrifices were made for civil liberties, such as the right to vote and an end to the oppressive laws imposed by colonialists to segregate and subjugate black people from enjoying life in their motherland. Liberation war heroes and heroines fought against systematic oppression by British colonial masters, who dispossessed fertile land and relegated black Zimbabweans to arid "reserves". Even the Constitution – the supreme governance charter’s preamble “exalts and extols brave men and women” who fearlessly fought against colonialism, racism, oppression and other forms of class based discrimination.

All the selfless sacrifices were for an egalitarian society, at least. But over the past decades, Zimbabwe has turned into something else. Is this what the war combatants fought for?  As Zimbabwe celebrates the 44th Heroes Day on Monday, it is imperative to remember this legacy of resistance and the fight for justice. However, this year’s commemoration comes amid a tense atmosphere in Harare, as the city prepares for the SADC Summit from  August 17 to 18.

The State has reacted with a heavy-hand, arresting opposition politicians, civil society members, clergymen, and student activists in an apparent crackdown on ‘dissent’. It has shown zero tolerance for any criticism of those in power, creating an atmosphere of fear that now engulfs the country. Reports indicate over 80 civil society and political activists, including members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), were arrested in July and denied bail, even by the High Court. Amongst them are 44 student activists held for an "illegal gathering" on July 24, despite having paid admission of guilt fines. 

Last week, four local pro-democracy activists were removed from a Victoria Falls-bound plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and allegedly tortured. They have been remanded in custody on charges of disorderly conduct. Heavily armed police and soldiers have been deployed in Harare,  Chitungwiza, and Mutare, displaying the State's determination to silence critics and intimidate citizens. Forty-four years after independence, Zimbabweans are still fighting for basic human rights. The constitution guarantees freedoms of expression and association, but these rights are trampled upon. The State's heavy-handed tactics against its people reminds us of the infamous quote by the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin: “There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech”.

As we celebrate Heroes Day, we must ask ourselves what we are truly celebrating if Zimbabweans continue to live under intimidation and subjugation. The current crackdown on political and student activists is a public relations disaster, especially as Zimbabwe assumes the SADC chairmanship under international scrutiny. The government must do better. Zimbabweans hoped for a reformist government after the Robert Mugabe era, envisioning a departure from a police State towards a more democratic society. However, it seems the journey to true freedom remains long and arduous. The government must introspect and revise its approach to dealing with its citizens. They should ask themselves sobering questions. Monday is a day for the elite rulers to re-think. Are Zimbabweans enjoying freedoms, democracy, social justice and respect of human dignity?

What happened to the pledges of being "servant leaders" and "listening leaders"? These promises now seem hollow and insincere. The government should practice tolerance towards its people. Civil liberties were at the heart of the liberation struggle, and it is essential to allow Zimbabweans to enjoy these freedoms in their homeland. We do not advocate for lawlessness, but neither can we condone aggressive oppression. The essence of Heroes Day is to honour the sacrifices made for civil liberties and ensure that all Zimbabweans can live freely and without fear in their own country. 

The original oped was published on the Zimbabwe Independent. Faith Zaba is free speech and media freedom advocate and is the editor of the Zimbabwe Independent.