Staff Reporter

FOR Luke Mukuruzado Maganzo, a villager from Ward 22 in Gutaurare village in Zimunya rural, who was born without a disability, but developed his disfigurement disability during his infancy, people with disabilities should not be shunned or stigmatised but given equal opportunities in life. He also called for more advocacy on human rights, particularly in rural communities.

Part of the Gutaurare community that attended the event.

“In this day and age some People With Disabilities (PWDs) are still being denied education and some are not even allowed to marry by their families. This is a violation of their human rights, which is happening behind closed doors in our communities, but I want to urge people to report such cases because it is unlawful and inhuman,” said Maganzo during the International Human Rights Day commemorations held on Tuesday in Gutaurare, which was organised by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) Mutare in collaboration with its advocacy partners from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

Maganzo who is in his mid-40s went to school up to Grade Seven (7). He said his parents would not pay his school fees at times because they believed he would never amount to anything because of his disfigurement disability. Despite having an amputated right hand and a disfigured face, Maganzo says he can do all jobs that anyone with both hands can do. He has over the years learnt to embrace his disability and is fending for his family well, with his eldest child now in secondary school.

“If you give PWDs an opportunity from the start, they will thrive and not rely on begging. We are just as able as everyone else to work for ourselves if empowered. This is our plea. We just want to be considered and be given equal opportunities,” said Maganzo.

The late human rights champion and President of South Africa Nelson Mandela once said, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” This was echoed by various stakeholders that attended the International Human Rights Day commemorations in Gutaurare about 25 kilomteres from Mutare in Zimunya rural. The previous celebrations were done in Mutare but CCJP decided to take this year’s celebrations to the rural communities.

In 1948, on the 10th of December, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which is internationally now recognised as the cornerstone of human rights.  It provides for all rights – civil, political and socio-economic rights recognising that all people should be treated with dignity and respect. Zimbabwe is a signatory to this convention.

The Second Republic government under President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been pressing on the principle of inclusion and inclusivity, outlined in the National Development Strategy, with the premier always saying in his mantra “We are leaving no one and no place behind.”

This years commemorations ran under the theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” which CCJP said speaks on the urgency of advancing human rights awareness and strengthening the human rights movement for dignity and equality.

Dr Delis Mazambani

ZHRC executive secretary Dr Delis Mazambani encouraged communities to remain resolute in defending human rights making effective use of the human rights protection mechanisms provided by the constitution. She however applauded the milestones so far, citing the new schools curriculum which has human rights course outlines now being mainstreamed. She mentioned this after the impressive recitals by school children from Gutaurare who proved to be well versed on human rights issues in their poems.

“Section 44 to 86 of the Zimbabwean constitution talks of declaration of rights. The new curriculum has human rights mainstreamed into both primary and secondary education. It speaks of rights and responsibilities. As parents we have the responsibility to adhere to the right to education for our children. As parents let’s educate our children more on their human rights. We need to go further than say don’t talk to or accept gifts from strangers as we are now facing cases of abuse even from relatives. A child may think it is ok because it’s a relative doing the abusive acts because the child would have been taught not to trust strangers only,” said Mazambani. She encouraged people to report to ZHRC in the event of any cases violating their human rights or whistle-blow such acts in community.

Godfrey Dzveta from Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust said advocacy campaigns on human rights for PWDs are important especially in rural communities where some people still believe in some myths about PWDs.

Godfrey Dzveta

“Let’s move from myths that surround people with disabilities. It’s disheartening to see husbands still leaving their wives that give birth to children with disabilities or parents shunning their child born with a disability. This should change and parents should know it is unlawful,” said Dzveta.

He also thanked Government for the National Disability Policy launched in 2021 but called for more resources to channeled towards its implementation to help and give equal opportunities for PWDs in both urban and rural communities.

“There are notable changes we appreciate but more is still to be done. The Government is now paying school fees for people with disabilities, so parents please do not hide or shun your children with disabilities if you cannot afford to pay for them and cater for their special needs in school. I am happy that the Gutaurare community showed that there is awareness about human rights and disability rights in particular. This month, on December 3, we also commemorated International Day of Persons with Disabilities, so this month we are also commemorating and amplifying disability rights. Let’s fight together for disability rights in our communities so that PWDs can enjoy their rights,” said Dzveta.

Ward 22 councillor Kumbirai Kanyikwanaka said in his ward human rights issues are mainstreamed and thanked Non Governmental Organisations such as CCJP that complement their efforts to educate communities on human rights. ”We have paralegals, community childcare workers (CCWs) in our ward, so whenever we have community meetings we call them to come and teach people about human rights. We have been loud about child marriages and gender based violence issues in all our meetings, so as the councillor here, human rights are my priority,”said Clr Kanyikwanaka.

In a side-line interview CCJP Mutare coordinator Elliot Vengesa said the International Human Rights Day is coming at a time when human rights violations are rampant but a lot of reforms are also being undertaken by President Mnangagwa’s new dispensation government. He said as development partners they will continue to implore government to continue aligning all laws with the constitution, ensuring full compliance with the Bill of Rights.

CCJP Mutare programme officers speaking on their peace and justice advocacy outreach programmes during the commemorations.

“We uphold our commitment to the promotion and protection of civil and political rights, which are the cornerstone of democracy and human dignity. Through our grassroots campaigns and advocacy, we will continue to promote peace and justice and demand for accountability and transparency where it lacks. Let us collectively advocate for justice, equality and freedom for all, ensuring that every voice is heard and respected. As the CCJP Mutare we would like to appeal to everyone during this festive season to exercise restraint and observe and respect other people’s rights,” said Vengesa.

CCJP Mutare has over the years been conducting peace building and human rights awareness programmes targeting vulnerable groups such as women, youths and PWDs. This year it was running a programme under the theme, “Citizen Participation for Accountability and Social Cohesion,” funded by Christian Aid Zimbabwe which was being implemented in some wards in Mutare rural and Mutasa District.

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJP) is a non-governmental organisation which assists in cases of human rights abuse. It was established in 1972 to highlight the plight of the Zimbabwean people. It has offices in Harare, Bulawayo, Binga Village and Mutare, along with the presence of a ‘Justice and Peace Committee’ in each Catholic diocese.