I won’t be silenced: Dzamara’s brother
By Blessings Mashaya
By brutally assaulting pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara’s younger brother Patson on Independence Day for protesting the abduction of Itai in front of President Robert Mugabe, are the authorities trying to cover up his carefully planned abduction?
It may seem so — going by the conduct of the government since he went missing on March 9 last year when five unidentified men seized him while getting a haircut at a Glen View barbershop, shoved him into an unmarked truck and sped off. He hasn’t been seen since.
Almost 13 months since his disappearance, the government has yet to come up with a satisfactory report on the circumstances under which he vanished.
Patson, who caught State security by “surprise” at the National Sports Stadium on Independence Day, April 18, when he staged a one-man demonstration, waving a placard demanding that Mugabe, 92, accounts for his missing brother, said in the absence of any real investigation, it points to the government as responsibile.
“What happened on Monday, it was daring on my part, it was frightening to do that and the reaction of the powers that be was almost expected,” he told the Daily News on Sunday.
He was viciously battered and briefly taken to Harare Central Police Station, where he was released without charge, and was later taken to a local private hospital.
“Obviously, I expected them to react that way but that was not enough to deter me in as far as my resolve to see my brother’s matter resolved … whoever is responsible for his disappearance, I will make sure he is brought to book.
“In as far as this issue is risky to my life, I will leave no stone unturned. I will use all means possible — orthodox or unorthodox — as long as it is within the confines of the law.”
Patson said he was not afraid. He added that he wants to send a clear message to the Zanu PF government “that gone are the days when they abducted people without anyone confronting them.”
“I will continue to do whatever I can for us to get the answers regarding what happened to Itai,” he vowed.
“Above all, what has to be noted is the fact that this is no longer about Itai. This is something people must know. Itai’s case has now assumed the posture of precedence, it’s now precedence.
“We are now using the case to set a precedence, to send a clear message, to draw a line in the sand, telling them that in Zimbabwe they can never get away by abducting people for expressing themselves.”
Patson said the Zanu PF government has showed no concern in dealing with Itai’s case.
“Ever since this lurid act, we have never shirked from our position that we hold Zanu PF and State security agents responsible for Itai’s abduction.
“It remains a mystery although all the leads we have stumbled upon thus far point towards cementing our suspicions that this is the detestable work of Zanu PF with and through State security agents,” he said.
“The police claim to be looking for Itai and yet they dismally failed to come up with even a single lead.
“It’s not only pathetic but curious that they virtually failed to come up with a single explanation regarding Itai’s missing.”
He added: “It’s no longer just about Itai, yes Itai is the focal point, but we are fighting to stop the abductions.”
He said he always stood for good things with Itai, saying even at school, they fought for other students.
“I was born like that but Itai’s issue has triggered and prompted me to rise,” he said.
“I am a man of action, every time I think I need to do something I will make sure that it will come to pass.”
Patson said he does not support any political party despite many people linking him with the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC.
“I am, not even a card-carrying member for any political party. For my link with MDC, I invite all political parties to Itai’s prayer meetings but the MDC is the only political party who come to join us at many occasions.
“My duty is to invite political parties and I only work with those who come, I can’t force others to come.” Daily News
