Dzamara family demand retraction and apology from UNICEF – Pictures & Video

By John Cassim

The family of abducted journalist Itai Dzamara on Friday confronted the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Harare demanding a retraction and an apology over a controversial statement they penned criticising the participation of his children during a commemoration.

When the Dzamara family commemorated months after Itai mysterious disappearance, family children including those of Itai were leading and offered police flowers.

However UNICEF decided to attack the family in what they allege was a human right abuse against the children during protests.

On one hand Patson, spokesperson of the family, says UNICEF played doubled standards by issuing a statement without talking to the family members.

At the time Patson, accompanied by Itai’s wife and her two kids, arrived at the UNICEF offices on Friday, the situation was tense.

Three truck loads of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in their anti riot gear had blocked both exit routes along the road where UNICEF is located.

However UNICEF security asked the police to move away to tame the situation before Patson, Itai’s wife and two kids were allowed in the offices for a meeting.

UNICEF Country Representative Reza Hossaini, Victor Chinyama the Chief Communications Officer and other UNICEF officials met the Dzamara family, in a meeting held privately.

“We were accommodated by the UNICEF officials and am happy they have promised to come back to us within a week. We have demanded a retraction of their statement as well as issue a public apology,” Patson told journalists outside the UNICEF offices.

He sarcastically told reporters that UNICEF had pledged to take care of Itai’s children during the meeting. Nehanda Radio