(Last Updated on November 12, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy founder Themba Mliswa says they have put the Itai Dzamara issue on the agenda of “our” end of November congress with the aim of pressuring government to search and find the missing journalist-cum-human rights activist.
The firebrand former Zanu PF Mashonaland west provincial chairperson said they want President Robert Mugabe to respond to the Dzamara family letter which was handed over to the aging leader in August.
In the letter, Dzamara’s wife Sheffra demanded a thorough probe into the disappearance of her husband.
“It is one the objectives of the organisation to ensure that everyone is protected by the state as enshrined in the constitution, and in this case we are saying the President as the custodian of the supreme law of the land which guarantees security of every citizen must do his duty through responding to the Dzamara family’s request,” Mliswa told NewZimbabwe.com in an interview Tuesday.
Mliswa said Zimbabweans should rise and demand for the safe return of Dzamara, adding that if action is not taken the regime will continue “disappearing people”.
“What happened to Dzamara, if it goes unchallenged, can happen to everyone, even you or me, and that is the reason why we have put the issue on our agenda so that the state is reminded of its obligation of protecting citizens,” said Mliswa.
Abducted in his Glen View home area on 9 March for conducting peaceful demonstrations against Mugabe, Dzamara’s whereabouts remain unknown.
This is despite a High Court order ordering the state to search and find the rights activist.
Civil society organisations have tried to put incentives which they thought would motivate people to give hints on Dzamara’s whereabouts.
The state, due to pressure from human rights organisations and the international community, recently announced a $10, 000 reward for anyone who would help find Dzamara.