A tribute to the victims of political violence

A tribute to the victims of political violence

They know there is more to life than just breathing,

A heartbeat signifying a flow of blood and rage

Recalling a moment when the sun stood still

and the world came shattering at their doorsteps

To those whose houses were torched

and saw the roaring flames touch the pitch black sky,

whose livestock was plundered while they watched,

watched their daughters and wives being raped by menacing looking men in party regalia,

regalia they dreaded,Their husbands and fathers were harmed,

feeling their backs endure the iron whips and chains

as they grimaced in pain,pain they hoped that someday,

somewhere an even greater force more powerful than them all

will mete out the sweet rod of justice,

justice and truth that will put their minds and souls to rest

But then the greater force that came in the form of a union of three politicians, seems to be far more interested in blanketing the sensitive past withpatronising language, calling people to forgive and forget and move on In the spirit of inclusivity and dialogue and forget that without peace of mind and the peace in the families will not bring forth congruence needed in the communities and hence the peace that the nation really yearn for will remain an elusive pitch black .

By Edgar Chikuvire

Bottom line - Without Transitional justice, there cannot be national healing and reconciliation.