Dzamara bags human rights award

By Jeffrey Muvundusi

Missing human rights activist Itai Dzamara was voted the Overall Human Rights Defender of the Year during the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (Zimrights) annual awards ceremony held at a local hotel in Bulawayo on Friday.

Dzamara was allegedly abducted by suspected State agents in March this year and his whereabouts are not yet known. Opposition political parties, civil society and individuals have to no avail pressured the government to take action on the activist’s disappearance.

On Friday, a sombre atmosphere engulfed the auditorium when Dzamara was announced the winner ahead of former deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe and Rashid Mahiya.
His brother Paddy Dzamara received the award which had a holiday voucher on Itai’s behalf.

“We are not giving up, we are still hopeful that those who abducted him will release him,” Paddy said.

“We are not wavering on that and we hold government responsible for Itai’s disappearance. We need to condemn that because if it happened to him then it can happen to you as well,” he said.

Harare West MP Jessie Majome was the toast of the day after she bagged two crucial awards. Majome won the People’s Choice award and was also voted the Outstanding Female Human Rights Defender of the Year.

In the People’s Choice award category, Majome was battling it out with Itai, David Coltart and Hope Sadza.

Khupe, who is also MDC’s vice president had her moment of glory when she scooped the Health Rights Activist of the Year award, due to her unwavering commitment in addressing issues to do with the cancer disease.

Terry Mutsvanga, who last year won the Male Journalist Human Rights Defender of the Year award through his touching documentary on people that were affected by floods in Chingwizi, Masvingo, scooped the same award this year.

Deputy chief justice Luke Malaba, who was the guest of honour at the event urged the government to prioritise human rights issues. Daily News