Heal Zimbabwe Trust Statement Remembering the August 1 shootings

August 1, 2024

Heal Zimbabwe Trust joins the nation in marking the sixth anniversary since the August 1, 2018, shootings. Six years ago on this day, six Zimbabwean unarmed civilians were killed by military gunfire while 35 were injured and property was destroyed as the demonstrations post the 2018 harmonized elections turned violent. Today we remember Sylvia Matambo Maphosa, Brian Zhuwawo, Challenge Tauro, Gavin Charles Dean, Ishmail Kumire and Jealous Chakandira who lost their lives. This day marks a painful reminder of the challenges our nation faces with electoral violence, a perennial problem that undermines the integrity of our democratic processes and national cohesion.

On this day we are reminded of how flawed electoral processes produce contested outcomes that in turn threaten peace and social cohesion leading to conflict and human rights violations. The sad events of August 1, 2018, were not an isolated event; they are symptomatic of deep-seated, recurring and unresolved problems that require our collective national effort towards comprehensive reforms. We ought to reform our national institutions and political culture to ensure that our democratic processes are credible and stand the test of integrity and adherence to our Constitution and international norms. A key aspect of these reforms is the cessation of military interference in civilian politics. Our military must, as succinctly stated in Section 208 of our constitution, be apolitical, nonpartisan and respect democratic processes and institutions to foster a peaceful and stable environment for all Zimbabweans.

In the aftermath of the violence and shootings, a Commission of Inquiry led by former South Africa’s President Kgalema Motlanthe was set up and it produced a report with the following recommendations that have not been fully met:
1. Compensation for victims- in 2022, the victims reportedly got the equivalent of $2 as compensation
2. Electoral reforms for speedy transmission and announcement of results- there has not been reforms to that effect.
3. Security sector and law enforcement reform- there is no record of the retraining of the police in impartial and professional riot control. The results of an army audit of its standing orders on riot control have not been published as recommended.
4. Nation building and reconciliation through inclusive national dialogue- previous attempts at national dialogue have not been inclusive and broad-based. The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission’s tenure ended before it could implement an inclusive dialogue beyond POLAD
5. Review of the laws relating to hate speech and incitement to violence- little has been done and the existing laws have been used to stifle criticism of the police and the state
6. Registration of political parties to ensure accountability- no steps have been taken.
7. Accountability and prosecution- to date, no member of the military has been charged and there is no record of internal police and military investigation and discipline regarding the August 1 shootings.

As we honor the memories of those who lost their lives and those who were affected in several ways by the sad events of August 1, 2018, Heal Zimbabwe Trust recommends the following be done:
1. Government must implement all the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission ensuring genuine compensation of victims and holding the perpetrators accountable.
2. President Mnangagwa must finalize the appointment of the Independent Complaints Commission as a mechanism to protect citizens from human rights violations at the hands of state security agents.
3. An independent, strong and effective successor to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, that deals with national healing, reconciliation, transitional justice must be set up and lead an inclusive, genuine and broad national dialogue.
4. The military must, as per the dictates of Section 208 of the Constitution be apolitical, nonpartisan and respect democratic processes for the stability and wellbeing of Zimbabwe.

Heal Zimbabwe Trust is a peacebuilding and human rights organization determined to contribute to nation building through fostering tolerance, respect for human rights and social cohesion in pursuit of a better, peaceful and inclusively prosperous Zimbabwe