The Solidarity Peace Trust urges humane treatment of Zimbabwean Refugees

The Solidarity Peace Trust condemns the relentless harassment of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa at a time when Zanu PF is once again terrorising Zimbabweans in some parts of their country.

We draw South Africa’s attention to the fact that Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) members and supporters are once again being abducted or arrested – in some cases after being attacked by marauding gangs. In some rural areas, it is alleged that homes are being burnt down, crops destroyed and food aid withheld. Soldiers are alleged to be taking part in the harassment and threats.

South Africans need to be aware of the escalating destabilization that is preventing asylum seekers, refugees and economic migrants from going home. The majority of Zimbabwean exiles would prefer to return to their families and rebuild their lives but they continue to perceive that it is unsafe to do so.

The Trust acknowledges that the South African government has consulted widely with refugee organisations and NGOs and is taking steps to improve the situation. We commend the Department of Home Affairs for becoming more proactive and setting up mechanisms to fast-track the documentation processes.

However, there are still worrying issues that need to be addressed. Members of the South African Police continue to harass, arrest and assault asylum seekers and economic migrants, threatening them with deportation, and in numerous cases demanding bribes.

Although there is currently a moratorium on deportations, the situation could change on 1 August when the deadline for new Zimbabwean asylum-seeker applications and the amnesty period for regularising documentation expires. The Zimbabwean government’s failure to provide passports and other vital documentation continues to stall the process. In April 2009, Human Rights Watch reported that as many as 18 000 Zimbabweans were deported...Read more

New report and film to be launched on Friday 30 July

The Solidarity Peace trust will be launching a new report and film on Friday 30 July 2010.

REPORT: A Fractured Nation

The report is an assessment of the effects of Operation Murambatsvina five years on. It looks at the combined effects of OM and the economic meltdown in the years that followed on the livelihoods and movements of Zimbabweans both within the country and in the diaspora. The findings show the continuing devastation of that operation and the meltdown of the years that followed and indicates the extent of the damage that needs to be addressed in future development policies. With the renewed threats of xenophobic violence on foreign workers in SA, Zimbabwean and other foreigners are trapped in a desperate vice of violence, desperation and poverty. This report will be available for download  from this website on Friday 30 July.

FILM: Poverty On Top Of Poverty

Hopley Farm is a large tract of land on the outskirts of Harare where the government dumped thousands of Murambatsvina victims in 2005. They were promised new homes, a developed infrastructure and a better life. What has transpired in Hopley in the five years since Operation Murambatsvina rendered hundreds of thousands homeless, mirrors the fate of IDP’s across the country. The film also looks at whether the new inclusive government has made an impact on the lives of this group of people, who were uprooted because of their real or perceived support of the Movement for Democratic Change.

Gukurahundi artist says his persecution helps get point across

by Violet Gonda, SW Radio Africa (17 May 2010)

‘Gukurahundi’ visual artist Owen Maseko says his arrest and the banning of his exhibition is helping him to get his point across and the police actions are proving his point.

Maseko was arrested in March when he opened an exhibition showing an artist’s impression of the Gukurahundi atrocities of the 1980s, at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo. This was the first exhibition of its kind in Zimbabwe, about this violent period that led to the deaths of an estimated 20 000 Ndebeles in Matabeleland and the Midlands provinces.

Police could not remove the graphic pictures and graffiti which had been painted directly onto the walls of the gallery, so they stormed the building and shut the exhibition down. They also covered the windows with newspapers so that people walking past the gallery could not see the images.

On Monday Maseko told SW Radio Africa that while it has been difficult for him personally to be arrested and going to court, his persecution is allowing people to talk about this terrible episode in Zimbabwe’s history.

He made an urgent application in the High Court to have the exhibition re-opened, but this was thrown out. The artist is expected to appear in a Bulawayo magistrate’s court on May 26th where he is challenging his remand. He said it is at this hearing where it will be decided whether he is going to trial or the charges will be dropped.

“I think it’s a win, win situation for me. If it goes to trial it means they (police) risk having the Gukurahundi issue openly discussed and at the same time if they dismiss the case it means they automatically have to allow me to re-open the exhibition and the public can actually see,” pointed out Maseko.

The artist who is currently on bail, was arrested for allegedly ‘undermining or insulting the authority of the President or insulting a particular race or tribe’ through his exhibition. The Acting Director of the Bulawayo Art Gallery, Voti Thebe, had also been arrested, but was freed later the same day.

One of the paintings showed ZAPU leader Joshua Nkomo...Read more

Invitation to an interactive exhibition on Zimbabwean Refugee Children in South Africa

Invitation to an interactive exhibition on Zimbabwean Refugee Children in South Africa

The Solidarity Peace Trust in Partnership with the Central Methodist Church (Johannesburg) will be organizing an Exhibition in Johannesburg on the Zimbabwean Refugee Children.

Date: 19 May 2009
Time: 10am
Venue: Albert Street School, cnr Albert Street and Kruis,
opposite J’Burg fire station, Marshalltown, Johannesburg

This is an interactive exhibition with recordings from the children themselves. It highlights the plight of the Forgotten Children who fled Zimbabwe’s political turmoil, in search of a better life, peace and security.

Seen through the eyes of the children, you will be taken on a journey to share their experiences and amazing stories of hope and determination to succeed despite the challenges facing them.

Part of the exhibition will be managed by senior students of the Albert Street school.

The official opening is on the 19th May 2010. Refreshments will be served.

The exhibition will run until the end of May.

Download the invitation with full details below. Please contact us for further information.