I won’t leave Zimbabwe: Patson Dzamara

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

A defiant Patson Dzamara, brother to abducted journalist and political activist, Itai, has vowed to stay put in Zimbabwe despite reports indicating security agents are plotting his persecution.

Itai was taken away by suspected intelligence operatives in March last year after leading a series of protests calling on President Robert Mugabe to go due to leadership failure, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Patson said in a statement on Thursday he had received numerous inquiries regarding his safety, with some sympathisers advising him to flee the country.

“I wish to make it abundantly clear to all and sundry that I am not going to run away. I am not a criminal and know no other home than this one—Zimbabwe.

“If taking a stand against human rights abuses, corruption, poverty and injustice is a crime, then I am 100 percent ready to take bullets for that crime,” said Patson.

He recently petitioned President Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwean parliament over the failure by the security sector to decisively probe Itai’s abduction and the head of state’s inability to effectively run the country.

“It’s too late for me to be afraid. I really don’t have anything to lose. They took my brother, best friend and mentor, Itai Dzamara. I can’t imagine any greater loss that that, neither do I count my life dear to me…I will never be afraid of a human being,” added Patson.

On Thursday, he indicated that he would be approaching the police with a written notice of the commemoration of his brother’s disappearance that will take place on 10 August.

Patson vowed that he would be unfazed by State-sponsored persecution as he continues with the fight to know his brother’s fate.

“I have burnt the bridges and no amount of persecution can cause me to flinch…Let’s pray and work for a better Zimbabwe. It’s possible in our life time,” said Patson. Nehanda Radio